Ditzen
Fakultäten » Philosophische Fakultät » Psychologisches Institut » Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie » Prof. Dr. Ulrike Ehlert » Ditzen
Completed research project
| Title / Titel | Psychobiological Factors in Couple Conflicts | ||||
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| Abstract (PDF, 14 KB) | |||||
| Original title / Originaltitel | Psychobiologische Determinanten von Konflikten in Partnerschaften | ||||
| Summary / Zusammenfassung | Purpose of the Study: In nonhuman mammals, the neuropeptide oxytocin has repeatedly been shown to positively modulate social behavior and particularly pair bonding. Central oxytocin activity has been suggested to promote rewarding processes of attachment behavior in rodents via opioid mechanisms and to reduce stress and anxiety, possibly linking it to the health beneficial effects of close relationships in humans. However, to date there have been no studies to investigate the effects of central oxytocin mechanisms on behavior and physiology in close relationships in humans, or specifically on couple interaction. Methods: In a double-blind placebo controlled design, forty-eight heterosexual couples (total N = 98) received oxytocin or placebo intranasally before a couple conflict discussion in the laboratory. The couple conflict was videotaped and coded for behavior (e.g. eye contact, non-verbal positive behavior, and self-disclosure). Salivary cortisol, salivary alpha amylase, and affect were repeatedly measured during the study. |
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| Keywords / Suchbegriffe | Couple Conflict, Intranasal Oxytocin, Cortisol, Alpha Amylase | ||||
| Project leadership and contacts / Projektleitung und Kontakte |
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| Funding source(s) / Unterstützt durch |
Forschungskredit der Universität Zürich |
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| In collaboration with / In Zusammenarbeit mit |
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| Duration of Project / Projektdauer | Sep 2004 to Oct 2006 |