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Degree

Master of Arts, Ohio State University, Psychology, 2009.

Abstract

In animal studies the nanopeptides oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (AVP) have been associated with social bonding. In humans, OT plasma levels appear to covary with perceptions of relationship quality. To investigate the relationships between behavioral indicators of marital quality and OT and AVP plasma levels, 37 couples were admitted for a 24-hour visit at the research center. Couples participated in a structured social support interaction task and completed self-report questionnaires of marital quality. Plasma OT and AVP were assayed using enzyme immunoassays. Positive behaviors during the marital interaction task were positively related to OT plasma levels, while both observed and self-reported negative behaviors were negatively associated with AVP plasma levels. These results provide evidence that marital quality is positively related to both OT and AVP plasma levels in humans.

Subject Headings

Psychology

Keywords

Oxytocin; vasopressin; marital quality

Committee / Advisors

Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, K (Advisor)
Michael Vasey (Committee Chair)
Jennifer Cheavens (Committee Member)

Pages

110p.

Document number: osu1236184248
Permalink: http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1236184248

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