A mother's attentive interactions can mold her baby's oxytocin system, priming it for healthy social connections later in life, according to new research in Science Advances.
Oxytocin, often called the 'bonding hormone,' drives trust and emotional closeness in relationships. It's released through eye contact, empathy, or physical touch.
While we know a mother's oxytocin levels affect her behavior and bonding with her infant, scientists wondered if her actions could also influence the child's developing oxytocin system.
The evidence points to yes.
Early infancy is a critical window when genes interact with environment, shaping psychological and behavioral paths through social experiences.
University of Virginia researchers Kathleen Krol and Jessica Connelly studied 101 mothers and their 5-month-old infants. Each pair spent five minutes in a room with toys and a book.
Observers rated the mother's engagement—responses to distress cues, eye contact, touch, and playfulness.
The setup repeated at 18 months, with saliva samples collected from both to measure oxytocin receptor changes.
Results showed epigenetic modifications in the infants' oxytocin receptor gene, directly linked to the quality of maternal involvement during play (e.g., touch and verbal engagement). 'Greater maternal involvement appears to regulate the infant oxytocin system,' Krol summarizes.
The team believes this extends beyond mothers: 'We hypothesize fathers and other caregivers play a similar role.'
Emma Meaburn from the University of London praises the work but cautions: 'This examines one gene region; complex behaviors aren't defined by single genetic factors.'
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