Abstract
Although the neuropeptide oxytocin has been associated with enhanced prosocial behaviors, it has also been linked to aggression and mental health disorders. Thus, it was suggested that oxytocin might act by increasing the salience of social stimuli, irrespective of whether these are positive or negative, thus increasing vulnerability to negative mental health outcomes. The current study (N = 243), conducted among white university students, examined the relation of trauma, depressive symptoms including suicidal ideation in relation to a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) within the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR), rs53576, and a SNP on the CD38 gene that controls oxytocin release, rs3796863. Individuals with the polymorphism on both alleles (AA genotype) of the CD38 SNP had previously been linked to elevated plasma oxytocin levels. Consistent with the social sensitivity perspective, however, in the current study, individuals carrying the AA genotype displayed elevated feelings of alienation from parents and peers as well as increased levels of suicidal ideation. Moreover, they tended to report elevated depressive symptoms compared to CC homozygotes. It was also observed that the CD38 genotype moderated the relation between trauma and suicidal ideation scores, such that high levels of trauma were associated with elevated suicidal ideation among all CD38 genotypes, but this relationship was stronger among individuals with the AA genotype. In contrast, there was no relationship between the OXTR SNP, rs53576, depression or suicidal ideation. These findings support a social sensitivity hypothesis of oxytocin, wherein the AA genotype of the CD38 SNP, which has been considered the “protective allele” was associated with increased sensitivity and susceptibility to disturbed social relations and suicidal ideation.
Highlights
Oxytocin, a neuropeptide that has widespread central and peripheral effects, has frequently been examined in relation to prosocial behaviors
As oxytocin has been implicated in social bonding and social support, we explored whether the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) and CD38 genotypes were associated with altered relationships to parents and peers through feelings of alienation
Analyses assessing genotype differences on parental and peer alienation, depression scores and suicidal ideation were performed using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Bonferroni corrected t-tests for any significant outcomes
Summary
A neuropeptide that has widespread central and peripheral effects, has frequently been examined in relation to prosocial behaviors. G carriers who experienced early-life maltreatment reported higher depressive scores compared to individuals with the AA genotype (McQuaid et al, 2013), as well as increased reactivity to social ostracism (McQuaid et al, 2015) These findings, like the effects resulting from oxytocin administration, suggest that G carriers may be more prosocial in certain environments, but in the face of negative experiences, the more socially sensitive G allele carriers may be more vulnerable to adverse outcomes. These relations were examined among University students enrolled in a first year psychology course, as the transition to university is a stressful period (Compas et al, 1986) associated with high levels of distress (Kidder et al, 2000)
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