Abstract
Early-stage romantic love constitutes a unique phase associated with distinct brain activations and neuro-hormonal processes that function to consolidate the affiliative bond. Little research addressed functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis during this phase or tested the relationship between cortisol and interactive behavior in new lovers. The current study examined daily cortisol production in 113 healthy young adults, including 79 new lovers who began a romantic relationship within the past 3 months and 34 demographically-matched singles. Saliva samples were collected three times per day on two consecutive days: at awakening, 30 minutes post-awakening, and at bedtime. Couples were videotaped during naturalistic interactions and self-reported on their relationship quality. Basal cortisol, total daily cortisol (AUCg), and cortisol awakening response (CAR) were assessed. New lovers exhibited lower daily cortisol production and blunted CAR, suggesting that the initiation of a romantic bond attenuates the stress response. Observed social reciprocity and goal-directed partnership and reported commitment to the relationship were associated with lower daily cortisol. Findings are consistent with research on the effects of intimate partner relationships on the stress response and support our bio behavioral synchrony model by demonstrating links between neuroendocrine processes and reciprocal social behavior during periods of bond formation in humans.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 41-53 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Adaptive Human Behavior and Physiology |
Volume | 1 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1 Mar 2015 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2014, Springer International Publishing.
Funding
Acknowledgments Supported by the German-Israeli Foundation (#1114-101.4/2010), the US-Israel BiNational Foundation (#2011349), and I-CORE Program of the Planning and Budgeting Committee and The Israel Science Foundation (grant No. 51/11)”.
Funders | Funder number |
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US–Israel Binational Foundation | 2011349 |
German-Israeli Foundation for Scientific Research and Development | 1114-101.4/2010 |
Israel Science Foundation | 51/11 |
Planning and Budgeting Committee of the Council for Higher Education of Israel |
Keywords
- Behavior
- Commitment
- Cortisol
- HPA axis
- Love
- Romantic attachment