By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
DEAKIN University researchers in Geelong will investigate the interplay of nature and nurture as part of unique research into “cuddle chemical” oxytocin.
Deakin PhD candidate Rebecca Knapp will investigate the role oxytocin, a naturally occurring but little-studied hormone, plays in the wellbeing of mother and child.
Ms Knapp said the study explored factors protecting women from post-natal depression and might support the development of the mother-child relationship.
She said she was seeking mothers with babies aged between three and six months and 10 and 16 months to participate in the study.
“Children may experience problems in primary or high school that actually started earlier, perhaps issues in pregnancy or when they are still very young.
“We want to see whether there’s a physiological or biological basis for the emotional connection between mother and child.
“If we can understand the physiological basis it might develop different types of therapies to help people interact better.
“Touch, tone or different behaviours with kids might actually change the physiology.”
Ms Knapp said no other study had investigated the mother-child aspect of oxytocin.
Ms Knapp said volunteers would have to attend two one-hour sessions with their babies at either Deakin University’s Geelong or Burwood campuses.
Mothers would be videotaped interacting and playing with their child and saliva samples from both mothers and their infants would be taken before and after the activity.
Mothers who participated would also be asked to complete a questionnaire at home looking at their physical health, lifestyle, relationships, mood, stress, and their thoughts about their child, Ms Knapp said.
