Abstract
Maternal depression adversely impacts children and the mother-child relationship. These detrimental effects may be exacerbated in anxious children. Maternal depression, the degree to which the mother and the child are coordinated (dyadic synchrony), and child anxiety, have all been linked to the oxytocinergic system, but were not examined within the same study. In the present study, mothers and clinically-anxious youth were asked to plan a fun day together. Synchrony between mother and child oxytocin levels was assessed. It was expected that oxytocin synchrony would increase following the interaction, but that this effect would be moderated by maternal depression. Additionally, we expected higher levels of maternal depression and lower levels of oxytocin synchrony to be associated with more child behavior problems.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
