Abstract
BackgroundLack of trust in parental support is a transdiagnostic risk factor for the development of psychological problems throughout the lifespan. Research suggests that children’s cognitive attachment representations and related information processing biases could be an important target for interventions aiming to build trust in the parent-child relationship. A paradigm that can alter these biases and increase trust is that of Cognitive Bias Modification (CBM), during which a target processing bias is systematically trained. Trust-related CBM training effects could possibly be enhanced by oxytocin, a neuropeptide that has been proposed to play an important role in social information processing and social relationships. The present article describes the study protocol for a double-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed at testing the individual and combined effects of CBM training and oxytocin administration on trust in maternal support.Methods/designOne hundred children (aged 8–12 years) are randomly assigned to one of four intervention conditions. Participants inhale a nasal spray that either contains oxytocin (OT) or a placebo. Additionally, they receive either a CBM training aimed at positively modifying trust-related information processing bias or a neutral placebo training aimed to have no trust-related effects. Main and interaction effects of the interventions are assessed on three levels of trust-related outcome measures: trust-related interpretation bias; self-reported trust; and mother-child interactional behavior. Importantly, side-effects of a single administration of OT in middle childhood are monitored closely to provide further information on the safety of OT administration in this age group.DiscussionThe present RCT is the first study to combine CBM training with oxytocin to test for individual and combined effects on trust in mother. If effective, CBM training and oxytocin could be easily applicable and nonintrusive additions to interventions that target trust in the context of the parent-child relationship.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT02737254. Registered on 23 March 2016.
Highlights
Lack of trust in parental support is a transdiagnostic risk factor for the development of psychological problems throughout the lifespan
Trust is important for psychological wellbeing across the lifespan, in the current study we focus on middle childhood
The present study: aims and hypotheses In the current study, participants administer a nasal spray that either contains OT or a placebo (PL). They receive either a Cognitive Bias Modification (CBM) training aimed at positively changing trust and related interpretation bias or a neutral training that is conjectured to have no trust-related effects
Summary
Lack of trust in parental support is a transdiagnostic risk factor for the development of psychological problems throughout the lifespan. Research suggests that children’s cognitive attachment representations and related information processing biases could be an important target for interventions aiming to build trust in the parent-child relationship. Trust-related CBM training effects could possibly be enhanced by oxytocin, a neuropeptide that has been proposed to play an important role in social information processing and social relationships. The present study aims to investigate the individual and combined effects of a cognitive and a pharmacological intervention, Cognitive Bias Modification (CBM) training and intranasal oxytocin (OT), on trust in maternal support. Middle childhood has been proposed to be an important period for cognitive trust development, during which trust-related expectations can still relatively be influenced by new experiences [10, 11] This suggests that middle childhood might be a sensitive period for interventions targeting trust in parental support. If the interventions prove effective in increasing trust, they could be a valuable addition to clinical interventions targeting trust in parental support
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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.
