Anxious attachment style and salivary cortisol dysregulation in healthy female children and adolescents

Oskis, Andrea; Loveday, Catherine; Hucklebridge, Frank; Thorn, Lisa; Clow, Angela

doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2010.02296.x

Cited by 49 publications

(47 citation statements)

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“…In this study, the relationship between a smaller CAR and fear of rejection was hypothesized and in 20 line with previous studies (Oskis et al, 2011;Quirin et al, 2008;Tops et al, 2008).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 71%

“…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.…”

Section: The Current Studysupporting

confidence: 65%

“…There is a wealth of evidence to support cortisol's role as a quintessential stress hormone, and it is perhaps especially pertinent to attachment that this hormone is activated during socio-evaluative and interpersonal threat (Dickerson & Kemeny, 2004). Dysregulated basal levels of cortisol, especially the burst of cortisol secretion that occurs around 30-45 min following awakening (cortisol awakening response: CAR), have been found in females categorized as anxious-insecurely attached (Oskis, Loveday, Hucklebridge, Thorn, & Clow, 2011;Quirin, Pruessner, & Kuhl, 2008). There is also evidence linking attachment anxiety to reduced cell concentration in the left hippocampus, which may underpin aberrant HPA axis function in those with anxious attachment (Quirin, Gillath, Pruessner, & Eggert, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Oskis

Clow

Loveday

et al. 2014

J Youth Adolescence

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Attachment behaviors play a critical role in regulating emotion within the context of close relationships, and attachment theory is currently used to inform evidence-based practice in the areas of adolescent health and social care. This study investigated the association between female adolescents' interview-based attachment behaviors and two markers of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity: cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Unlike the classic stress hormone cortisol, there is very limited investigation of DHEA-a quintessential developmental hormone-in relation to attachment, especially in adolescents. Fifty-five healthy females mean age 14.36 (± 2.41) years participated in the Attachment Style Interview. A smaller cortisol awakening response was related to anxious attachment attitudes, including more fear of rejection, whereas greater morning basal DHEA secretion was only predicted by lower levels of reported confiding in one's mother. These attachment-hormone relationships may be developmental markers in females, as they were independent of menarche status. These findings highlight that the normative shifts occurring in attachment to caregivers around adolescence are reflected in adolescents' biological stress regulation. We discuss how studying these shifts can be informed by evolutionary-developmental theory.

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“…In this study, the relationship between a smaller CAR and fear of rejection was hypothesized and in 20 line with previous studies (Oskis et al, 2011;Quirin et al, 2008;Tops et al, 2008).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 71%

Section: The Current Studysupporting

confidence: 65%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

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

Oskis

Clow

Loveday

et al. 2014

J Youth Adolescence

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“…Some studies have demonstrated the CAR to be associated with vulnerability to future disorder in healthy participants (e.g. Adam et al, 2014;Oskis et al, 2011). Concurrent well-being rather than measures of future vulnerability were the focus of this study, which may explain the failure to find associations.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 39%

Post awakening salivary cortisol secretion and trait well-being: The importance of sample timing accuracy

Thorn

Hucklebridge

Evans

et al. 2015

Psychoneuroendocrinology

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Indices of post awakening cortisol secretion (PACS), include the rise in cortisol (cortisol awakening response: CAR) and overall cortisol concentrations (e.g. area under the curve with reference to ground: AUCg) in the first 30-45 minutes. Both are commonly investigated in relation to psychosocial variables. Although sampling within the domestic setting is ecologically valid, participant non-adherence to the required timing protocol results in erroneous measurement of PACS and this may explain discrepancies in the literature linking these measures to trait well-being (TWB). We have previously shown that delays of little over 5 min (between awakening and the start of sampling) to result in erroneous CAR estimates. In this study, we report for the first time on the negative impact of sample timing inaccuracy (verified by electronic-monitoring) on the efficacy to detect significant relationships between PACS and TWB when measured in the domestic setting.Healthy females (N=49, 20.5±2.8 years) selected for differences in TWB collected saliva samples (S1-4) on 4 days at 0, 15, 30, 45 minutes post awakening, to determine PACS. Adherence to the sampling protocol was objectively monitored using a combination of electronic estimates of awakening (actigraphy) and sampling times (track caps).Relationships between PACS and TWB were found to depend on sample timing accuracy. Lower TWB was associated with higher post awakening cortisol AUCg in proportion to the mean sample timing accuracy (p<.005). There was no association between TWB and the CAR even taking into account sample timing accuracy. These results highlight the importance of careful electronic monitoring of participant adherence for measurement of PACS in the domestic setting. Mean sample timing inaccuracy, mainly associated with delays of >5 min between awakening and Smyth et al 3 collection of sample 1 (median = 8 min delay), negatively impacts on the sensitivity of analysis to detect associations between PACS and TWB.

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“…5,8,9 The findings in the insecure-avoidant and insecure-resistant attachment groups are inconsistent. In some studies, both insecure groups were found to have elevated cortisol levels, 8 others found increased cortisol levels only for insecure-resistant children.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 85%

Attachment Strategies and Neuroendocrine Biomarkers in Obese Children

Pinto¹,

Wilkinson

Virella

et al. 2016

Acta Med Port

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RESUMOIntrodução: A qualidade da relação pais-filho influencia o desenvolvimento do sistema fisiológico de regulação do stress da criança. Exploraram-se eventuais associações entre estratégias de vinculação e o cortisol e a hormona estimulante da tiróide, respectivamente como possíveis mediador e variável interveniente na relação mãe-filho, na criança obesa. Material e Métodos: Foi recrutada na Consulta de Obesidade uma amostra de conveniência de 83 crianças obesas com 10,9 (1,8) anos de idade (46 rapazes). A obesidade foi definida pelo percentil do índice de massa corporal para idade e género e os biomarcadores neuroendócrinos foram medidos pelos métodos de rotina. As estratégias de vinculação foram avaliadas através dos questionários (IACA) para pais e crianças. O funcionamento familiar foi classificado através do preenchimento pelos pais do FACES-III. Foram analisados modelos multivariáveis de regressão linear. Resultados: As estratégias de vinculação insegura do tipo evitante (tipo A) apresentaram uma associação significativa positiva com os níveis de hormona estimulante da tiróide e negativa com os níveis de cortisol (R 2 = 0,352). As estratégias de vinculação segura (tipo B) associaram-se positivamente ao hipotiroidismo e ao percentil de índice de massa corporal, ambas com significado estatístico (R 2 = 0,541). As estratégias de vinculação insegura apresentaram alguma evidência de associação positiva com a hormona estimulante da tiróide (R2 = 0,250). Discussão: Estes achados sugerem a existência de factores comuns na regulação dos eixos hipotálamo-hipófise-adrenal e hipotála-mo-hipófise-tiróide. Os processos envolvidos no desenvolvimento das estratégias de vinculação do tipo A parecem associar-se aos mecanismos regulatórios do eixo HPA. Conclusão: Diferentes estratégias de vinculação estão associadas a diferentes padrões metabólicos em crianças obesas. Desconhece-se qual a sua contribuição para o desenvolvimento e diferenciação da abordagem terapêutica. Palavras-chave: Apego ao Objecto; Criança; Obesidade Pediátrica; Sistema Hipotálamo-Hipofisário; Sistema Hipófise-Suprarrenal; Stress Psicológico; Tireotropina. ABSTRACTIntroduction: Quality of the parent-infant relationship influences the mechanisms of development of the child's physiological stress regulation. This study explored associations between attachment strategies and both cortisol and thyroid stimulating hormone, hypothesized to be respectively a potential mediator and a potential intervening variable of the mother-child relationship in obese children. Material and Methods:A sample of 83 obese children (46 boys), aged 10.9 (1.8) years was recruited from a child obesity clinic. Obesity was defined by body mass index percentile adjusted for age and sex. Metabolic biomarkers were measured by routine methods. Attachment strategies were assessed with self and parent-report questionnaires. Family functioning was assessed with parent-reported questionnaires (FACES-III). Multivariate linear regression analyses were performed. Results: Type A, avoidant at...

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Anxious attachment style and salivary cortisol dysregulation in healthy female children and adolescents

Abstract: These findings indicate that the same pattern of cortisol dysregulation associated with disorder in adulthood manifests as a function of anxious (but not avoidant) insecure attachment style in females during healthy childhood and adolescence.

Cited by 49 publications

References 47 publications

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

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

Post awakening salivary cortisol secretion and trait well-being: The importance of sample timing accuracy

Attachment Strategies and Neuroendocrine Biomarkers in Obese Children

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