Abstract

Social neuroscience offers a promising way to understand some dimensions of adult attachment. Arginine vasopressin (AVP) is a neuropeptide with significant implications for human social behavior and it provides an important testing ground to explore links between social/interpersonal neurobiology and attachment. It has a distinctive impact on the social/relational behavior of certain male animals, most notably prairie voles. It fosters monogamy, creates attachment to both mate and offspring, and increases affiliation and a desire for physical proximity with other animals of the species. There has been much speculation that it might play a similar role with human males. This study is the first attempt to research this topic among human males. It explores the possible linkage between AVP and various measures of attachment and sexual behavior.

This study utilized a snowball sample of 78 single males between 18-36 and compared plasma levels of AVP to responses to the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised and the Relational Ethics Scale. These two questionnaires were selected because they measure key aspects of social and relational attachment. Subjects were also asked questions about their sexual and relational patterns. Single males were selected because of the variety of different socially acceptable relationship patterns available to them. It was hypothesized that there would be a negative relationship between AVP and attachment avoidance, a positive relationship between AVP and attachment anxiety, and a positive relationship between AVP and both childhood and adult attachment quality. It was also hypothesized that, after making adjustments for age, race, and religious practice, that AVP would correlate with fewer sexual partners over the last year and more preference for a single partner. Finally, it was hypothesized that, with the same adjustments, plasma levels of AVP would interact with reported childhood attachment quality to influence adult attachment quality, actual number of sexual partners, and preferred number of sexual partners. Linear regression equations were used for all hypotheses and logistical regression equations were also used for the last two hypotheses.

This study found a non-significant relationship in the hypothesized direction with attachment avoidance, attachment anxiety, and childhood attachment quality. It found a non-significant relationship in the opposite direction from the hypothesis with adult attachment quality. When all research subjects were included in least-squares linear regression equations no significance was found in actual number of sexual partners and plasma levels of AVP. Logistical regression was used for this hypothesis to eliminate those with no sexual partners and create a dichotomous variable between those with one and those with more than one sexual partner. The Logistical regression equation demonstrated a significant positive relationship with having had more than one sexual partner. Linear regression indicated a positive significant relationship with a preference for more sexual partners. Nor was a relationship found between the interaction between childhood attachment and AVP and adult attachment, actual number of sexual partners, and preferred number of sexual partners.

LLU Discipline

Marital and Family Therapy

Department

Marital and Family Therapy

School

Science and Technology

First Advisor

Carmen Knudson-Martin

Second Advisor

Colwick M. Wilson

Third Advisor

Paul Zak

Fourth Advisor

Douglas Huenergardt

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Degree Level

Ph.D.

Year Degree Awarded

2008

Date (Title Page)

9-2008

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Argipressin -- physiology -- dissertations; Object Attachment; Male; Family Therapy; Family Relations; Sexual Partners -- psychology; Sexual Behavior -- psychology; Social Behavior -- psychology

Type

Dissertation

Page Count

x; 137

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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