Maternal cortisol concentration is associated with reduced brain activation to infant cry and more intrusive parenting behavior.

ABSTRACT: Previous research indicates that maternal cortisol function and maternal brain response to infant are each in turn related to variations in parenting behavior. However, little is known about how maternal cortisol and maternal brain function are associated, thus studying these two mechanisms together may improve our understanding of how maternal cortisol assessed during interactions with own infant is associated with brain response to infant cry. First-time mothers (N = 59) of infants aged 3-4 months old were recruited to participate. Mothers' cortisol concentration was measured during a naturalistic interaction with their infant and their behavior was coded for two parenting behaviors-- maternal sensitivity and non-intrusiveness. In an fMRI session, mothers listened to their own infant and

SUBMITTER: Erhart A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11724425 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature