De rol van oxytocine, vasopressine, testosteron en prolactine in de zorginteresse en zorgattitude van mannen die binnenkort vader worden.

Abstract

Research on parental behaviors has primarily focused on the interactions between mothers and offspring, with little research directed at understanding paternal behavior. In this study hormonal changes were investigated as a possible cause for differences in paternal behavior. The concentrations of the hormones oxytocin, vasopressin, testosterone and prolactin were measured in men becoming fathers, before and after birth, and in a control group. Both groups were tested for their care interest and attitude with two Implicit Association Tests (IAT) and the Child Care Activities Scale. Correlates between the concentrations of the hormones and test results were explored. On top of that, all participants received three intranasal sprays with oxytocin, vasopressin or placebo, spread over three weeks, to investigate the effect of altered availability of the hormones on the test scores of the two IATs in a repeated-measures design. The concentrations of the hormones were not higher in men becoming fathers compared to the control group. Neither did the concentration of hormones change after birth. Correlates between the concentrations of the hormones and test results gave some paradoxical results. Oxytocin was related to less care interest and testosterone to more care interest, opposite to what was expected. The administration of hormones did not change the test score in the two IATs. From the abovementioned findings, the proposition that hormonal changes in men becoming fathers influence care interest and attitude can not be confirmed. Future research could focus on increasing the amount of hormone concentration measurements or involving the participants partner in the study.