Psychobiological Factors in Couple Conflicts

Completed Research Project

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.

Keywords / Suchbegriffe: Couple Conflict, Intranasal Oxytocin, Cortisol, Alpha Amylase

Project Leadership and Contacts / Projektleitung und Kontakte

Dr. Beate Ditzen, PhD (Project Leader)	b.ditzen@psychologie.uzh.ch
Prof. Dr. Ulrike Ehlert, PhD	u.ehlert@psychologie.uzh.ch

Funding Source(s) / Unterstützt durch: Forschungskredit der Universität Zürich

In Collaboration with / In Zusammenarbeit mit

Prof. Dr. Guy Bodenmann, PhD; Marcel Schaer, M.S.; Dr. Barbara Gabriel, PhD	Switzerland
Prof. Dr. Markus Heinrichs, Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Psychological Institute, University of Zurich	Switzerland