Work

Hormonal synchrony in older couples' everyday life: The role of situational stressors and buffers

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Synchrony in physiology in romantic couples has been suggested to be a result of joint interaction and co-regulation of stress and affect. However, it is subject of debate whether synchrony in endocrine levels - especially in oxytocin - is generally beneficial or if a reciprocal transmission of stress may even be stress-increasing. The aim of this study was to investigate hormonal synchrony in older couples in relation to situational mindfulness, relationship conflict (quarreling), as well as situational resilience and subjective stress levels. A total of N = 26 individuals (i.e., N = 13 couples) aged between 52 and 75 years provided saliva samples and self-report measures 12 times over the course of 2 days (312 measures in total). Superior to randomly scrambled dyads, multilevel models predicted cortisol, alpha-amylase, and oxytocin levels from one partner for the other. Synchrony was higher at times of high levels of quarreling but mitigated in moments of high mindfulness. Moreover, oxytocin synchrony was reduced in couples exerting higher average levels of stress. We interpret this finding as buffering personal factors to protect against the transmission of dyadic stress. To draw implications for clinical interventions to promote these factors and given the preliminary character of the sample and the effects, future studies need to systematically expand this field of research and application. • Older couples show synchrony in their salivary cortisol, oxytocin, and alpha amylase levels over the day. • Cortisol synchrony in older couples is lower at times of higher state mindfulness. • Cortisol synchrony in older couples is higher with rising relationship conflict. • Oxytocin synchrony in older couples is lower with rising stress levels. • On a descriptive level, salivary oxytocin levels fluctuate over the course of the day.

Source: Hormones and Behavior

DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2025.105743

Authors: Dora Hopf, Corina Aguilar-Raab, Johanna U. Gödde, Ekaterina Schneider, Beate Ditzen, Monika Eckstein

Institutions: Heidelberg University, University Hospital Heidelberg, University of Mannheim, Deutsches Zentrum für Psychische Gesundheit

Language: English

Topic: Attachment and Relationship Dynamics

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,640