Genetic predispositions and parental bonding interact to shape adults' physiological responses to social distress.

ABSTRACT: Parental bonding and oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene genotype each influences social abilities in adulthood. Here, we hypothesized an interaction between the two - environmental experience (parental bonding history) and genetic factors (OXTR gene genotype) - in shaping adults' social sensitivity (physiological response to distress). We assessed heart rate and peripheral temperature (tip of the nose) in 42 male adults during presentation of distress vocalizations (distress cries belonging to female human infants and adults as well as bonobo). The two physiological responses index, respectively, state of arousal and readiness to action. Participants' parental bonding in childhood was assessed through the self-report Parental Bonding Instrument. To assess participants' genetic predispositions,

SUBMITTER: Esposito G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5859575 | biostudies-literature | 2017 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature