Adult attachment style and cortisol responses across the day in older adults

Abstract

The association between cortisol and adult attachment style, an important indicator of social relationships, has been relatively unexplored. Previous research has examined adult attachment and acute cortisol responses to stress in the laboratory, but less is known about cortisol levels in everyday life. The present study examined adult romantic attachment style and cortisol responses across the day. Salivary cortisol was collected at six time points during the course of the day in 1,807 healthy men and women from a subsample of the Whitehall II cohort. Significant associations were found between attachment on cortisol across the day and slope of cortisol decline. The lowest cortisol output was associated with fearful attachment, with preoccupied attachment having the highest levels and a flatter cortisol profile. The results tentatively support the proposition that attachment style may contribute to HPA dysregulation.

Biological Stress Regulation in Female Adolescents: A Key Role for Confiding

“…We tested two main hypotheses. First, in line with previous studies of adults and suggesting links between dysregulated diurnal cortisol profiles and insecure-anxious attachment (Kidd, Hamer, & Steptoe, 2013;Oskis et al, 2011;Quirin et al, 2008), we expected specific dimensions of attachment anxiety, including fear of rejection and separation/abandonment, would predict a flatter awakening response of cortisol. Second, in line with evolutionary-developmental theories of biological stress regulation, we expected less attachment behavior/support seeking towards the primary caregiver, manifested by less confiding (presumably reflecting greater adolescent autonomy), would predict higher levels of basal DHEA.…”

Attachment anxiety predicts IL-6 and length of hospital stay in coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) patients

“…Recently, this pattern of cortisol reactivity was replicated in older anxiously attached adults across the day [5]. Attachment avoidance (minimization of distress) has been implicated in immune responses to acute stressors.…”

Persistent LHPA Activation in German Individuals Raised in an Overprotective Parental Behavior

“…Disorganized bonding is associated with LHPA axis activation, increased depressiveness as well as a reduced SOC 13, 18, 33 . Moreover, alterations in glucocorticoid receptor gene methylation are associated with mental burdening in early childhood, and, in turn, fearful attachment is associated with TSRD symptoms 16, 39 .…”