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A groundbreaking study by UCL researchers has found that the way mothers talk about their infants’ thoughts and feelings significantly impacts the infants’ levels of oxytocin, a hormone critical for social bonding and emotional development.
Published in Development and Psychopathology, the study involved 62 new mothers, aged 23 to 44, interacting naturally with their babies, aged three to nine months, for five minutes. Researchers analyzed how mothers referred to their infants’ internal experiences—such as thoughts, feelings, or desires—and measured oxytocin levels in the infants’ saliva samples.
The findings revealed a strong positive correlation between the frequency of such language and higher oxytocin levels in the infants. Oxytocin, often referred to as the “bonding hormone,” plays a pivotal role in fostering trust, attachment, and social understanding.
Dr. Kate Lindley Baron-Cohen, lead author and a researcher at UCL Psychology & Language Sciences, explained, “It has long been known that oxytocin is crucial for social relationships, including the bond between a mother and her child. This study is the first to show that a mother’s emotionally attuned speech directly influences her infant’s oxytocin levels, suggesting a vital role of oxytocin in shaping early social experiences.”
For instance, when a child shows interest in a toy, a mother might say, “Oh, you like this toy” or “You’re excited,” mirroring the child’s internal state. This interaction not only strengthens the parent-child bond but also appears to regulate the infant’s oxytocin system.
Postnatal Depression and Its Impact
The study also highlighted challenges faced by mothers experiencing postnatal depression. These mothers were found to reference their infants’ internal states less frequently, which could affect their child’s social and emotional development.
Dr. Lindley Baron-Cohen emphasized the significance of this discovery: “This research demonstrates a new psychobiological link between maternal speech and infant hormone levels. It underscores the need to support mothers with postnatal depression to foster their child’s social development.”
Implications for Parenting Support
The study’s findings underline the crucial role of emotionally sensitive parenting in early child development. By helping mothers recognize and respond to their infants’ inner experiences, interventions could bolster social and emotional outcomes for children, particularly in families where postnatal depression is a factor.
Funded by organizations including the Wellcome Trust, the Michael Samuel Charitable Trust, and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), this research opens new doors for understanding the biological and psychological pathways shaping early social experiences.
A Path Forward
“This study provides compelling evidence for the intricate link between a mother’s interactions and her infant’s biological and emotional development,” said Dr. Lindley Baron-Cohen. “It also highlights the importance of supporting maternal mental health to ensure optimal outcomes for both mothers and their children.”
These findings pave the way for further research into interventions that enhance parent-infant bonding and the long-term effects of early oxytocin regulation on social and emotional well-being.
