Fathers Today: The Role of Hormones in Father*s Sensitive and Protective Parenting

Conditions: Onderzoek heeft geen betrekking op een aandoening, maar bestudeert de effecten van hormonen op het vaderschap
n.a.

Registration Number: NL-OMON48305

Lead Sponsor: Vrije Universiteit

Brief Summary: Not available

Detailed Description: Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status: Pending

Sex: Not specified

Target Recruitment: 55

Inclusion Criteria

Fathers who have had their first baby, child*s age <= 2-7 months; living in the
same house as their partner and baby. The baby is a full-term, healthy infant.
Both parents must have parental responsibility over the child.

Exclusion Criteria

A potential subject who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded
from participation in this study:

Endocrine disorders
Smoking
Alcohol and drug abuse
Use of medication potentially interfering with the endocrine system
MRI contraindications, including metallic foreign objects, neurological
disorder and claustrophobia
Cardiovascular disease
Nose injuries and disorders

Study & Design

Study Type: Interventional

Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
<p>The first main study parameter is activity in documented parenting-related<br /><br>brain areas. We will examine the effects of oxytocin and vasopressin on<br /><br>activity in these areas in fathers during processing of infant signals and<br /><br>threat to infant in tasks designed to elicit protective responses.<br /><br><br /><br>The second main study parameter is parenting behavior, including handgrip<br /><br>strength during infant cry sounds, sensitivity, involvement, and protection. We<br /><br>will examine the effects of oxytocin and vasopressin on these parenting<br /><br>dimensions. </p><br>

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
<p>We will examine the link between neural and behavioral effects of oxytocin and<br /><br>vasopressin administration, and explore the extent to which effects of oxytocin<br /><br>and vasopressin are moderated by fathers early childhood experiences.<br /><br><br /><br>We will measure hormonal levels to explore the associations with involvement in<br /><br>infant care (cortisol, testosterone, oxytocin), to control for cross-reactions<br /><br>(oxytocin-vasopressin), and to examine mechanisms (testosterone estradiol *<br /><br>oxytocin and testosterone - vasopressin).</p><br>