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Browsing Undergraduate Works by Author "Ablow, Jennifer"

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    Adverse Childhood Experiences and Salivary Oxytocin in Mothers With a History of Substance Abuse
    (University of Oregon, 2021) Ricci, Giovanni; Ablow, Jennifer
    Oxytocin (OT) is a peptide hormone and neuropeptide that is produced by the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland. Research has shown OT is involved in regulating social behaviors such as pair bonding as well as facilitating maternal-child attachment. Research has also shown early childhood trauma may impair OT production later in life through negative feedback mechanisms. However, the relationship between OT and trauma has rarely been examined using a combination of the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) questionnaire and salivary OT measures. The aim of this preliminary investigation was to explore the association between salivary OT and ACE scores using novel salivary measures to solidify previous findings on the relationship between OT and early childhood adversity. The study included a small sample of 10 mothers participating in a six-week infant parenting program for mothers of newborns with experiences with substance use disorders. Baseline maternal salivary OT was collected at the beginning of the program and ACE questionnaires were collected upon completion. Results showed a strong, significant negative correlation between baseline salivary OT and ACE scores (r = -0.81, p = 0.004). These results support prior research suggesting early childhood trauma reduces OT production later in life. Implications for understanding the role childhood adversity plays in reduced OT production as a potential pathway for the intergenerational impacts of trauma are discussed.