Approaching the biology of human parental attachment: Brain imaging, oxytocin and coordinated assessments of mothers and fathers

No abstract

Severe stress in early life, such as childhood abuse and neglect, constitutes a major risk factor in the etiology of psychiatric disorders and somatic diseases. Importantly, these long-term effects may impact the next generation. The intergenerational transmission of maternal early life stress (ELS) may occur via pre-and postnatal pathways, such as alterations in maternal-fetal-placental stress physiology, maternal depression during pregnancy and postpartum, as well as impaired mother-offspring interactions. The neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) has gained considerable attention for its role in modulating all of these assumed transmission pathways. Moreover, central and peripheral OT signaling pathways are highly sensitive to environmental exposures and may be compromised by ELS with implications for these putative transmission mechanisms. Together, these data suggest that OT pathways play an important role in the intergenerational transmission of maternal ELS in humans. By integrating recent studies on gene-environment interactions and epigenetic modifications in OT pathway genes, the present review aims to develop a conceptual framework of intergenerational transmission of maternal ELS that emphasizes the role of OT.

Maternal-newborn bonding is the complex process of attachment between a mother and newborn. The authors used the Walker and Avant methodology to conduct a concept analysis regarding maternalnewborn bonding as it relates to advanced practice nurse (APN), the patient, and health care. The attributes of maternal-newborn bonding include affection, association, attachment, and relationship. The consequences of maternal-newborn bonding include love, trust, protection, and maternal-child relationship. The APN must be able to recognize and understand the importance of maternal-newborn bonding to have anoptimal outcome for the patient. A model case, borderline case, and contrary case were discussed to provide an example of the maternal-newborn bonding concept. Discussion regarding empirical referents is also included. Maternal-Newborn Bonding Concept Analysis Publication History:Received: January 27, 2017 Accepted: April 04, 2017 Published: April 06, 2017 Keywords:Love, Maternal-newborn bond, Protection, Relationship, Trust Concept AnalysisOpen Access Description of ConceptMaternal-newborn bonding is a concept used throughout the obstetrical and pediatric fields, but not widely known amongst all clinicians. The connection made after birth directly affects both the mother and newborn physiologically, psychologically and emotionally. A strong bond formed between a mother and infant leads to positive outcomes and impacts the maternal child relationship through the lifespan. "The parent-infant bond provides a foundation for future adaptation, relationships, and mental health for children and adults" (p. 246) [1]. Difficulty forming a bond could lead to detrimental problems for the mother, child, society and the healthcare system.The maternal-newborn bond directly influences the healthcare system in a variety of ways. The initial bond that occurs between the mother and child after delivery can play a fundamental role in many physiological and psychological aspects. Physiological or psychological instability could potentially lead to a prolonged length of stay, a higher level of care and increased medical costs. A positive bond leads to a positive home life and good health. Good health could be directly related the mother providing basic needs and medical care for the child. As a result, the children have improved health, a decreased number of medical visits and decreased medical care costs throughout the lifespan. Inversely, a study described a situation of impaired maternal-newborn attachment, a bonding disorder can occur [2]. The impaired bond could lead to a decline in basic needs of the child being met and decrease in necessary medical care needed for healthy growth and development.The concept of maternal-newborn bonding also directly influences advanced practice nurses (APN). Understanding the concept can give the APN an inside view of the relationship that the mother and child have whether positive or negative. A positive maternal-newborn bond detected by the APN provides assurance that needs of the newborn are ...