Oxytocin System Gene Methylation is Associated with Empathic Responses towards Children
Publication date
2022-03
Authors
Spencer, Hannah
Parianen-Lesemann, Franca Henrike
Kraaijenvanger, Eline J.
Overbeek, Geertjan
Montoya, Estrella R
Branje, Susan
Boks, Marco P.m.
Bos, P.A.
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Advisors
Supervisors
Document Type
Article
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Abstract
Empathy is an essential component of sensitive caregiving behavior, which in turn is an important predictor of children's healthy social-emotional development. The oxytocin (OXT) system plays a key role in promoting sensitive parenting and empathy. In this study, we investigated how OXT system gene methylation was associated with empathic processes in nulliparous women (M age = 23.60, SD =0.44)—measuring both physiological facial muscle responses and ratings of compassion and positive affect to affective images depicting children. Linear mixed effects analyses demonstrated that lower methylation levels in the OXT and OXTR genes were related to enhanced empathic responses. The effect of OXT system gene methylation on empathic processes was partly qualified by an interaction with individual variations in women's care motivation. Our findings provide experimental evidence for an association between the methylation of OXT system genes and empathy.
Keywords
Empathy, Oxytocin, Facial EMG, DNA methylation, Taverne, Endocrine and Autonomic Systems, Psychiatry and Mental health, Biological Psychiatry, Endocrinology, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
Citation
Spencer, H, Parianen Lesemann, F H, Kraaijenvanger, E J, Overbeek, G, Montoya, E R, Branje, S, Boks, M P M & Bos, P A 2022, 'Oxytocin System Gene Methylation is Associated with Empathic Responses towards Children', Psychoneuroendocrinology, vol. 137, 105629, pp. 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105629