The Family Biorhythm: Contributions of the HPA and HPG Axes to Neuroendocrine Attunement

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The vast majority of research on biobehavioral influences on development has focused on mothers and infants, whereas research on paternal biobehavioral influences remains sparse. This study aims to increase understanding of paternal influences on the biobehavioral dynamics of the family unit, using a multi-system approach.

Methods

Participants consisted of 32 predominantly high-risk families recruited during pregnancy who completed monthly questionnaires and in-home visits when infants were 4, 12, and 18 months of age. In-home visits included semi-structured interaction tasks and saliva samples for cortisol and progesterone assays.

Results

Mothers and infants, but not fathers and infants, showed adrenocortical attunement, with the strongest attunement a

SUBMITTER: Wood E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10101824 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature