Complete Schedule
Presentation Type
Open Access Poster Presentation
Keywords
Attachment behavior--Physiological aspects; Hydrocortisone;
Abstract
Insecure attachment styles have been shown to negatively impact several aspects of physical and mental health. An association exists between insecure attachment and dysregulation in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis; in particular, its impact on cortisol release. However, in reaction to a stressor, attachment style has shown varying impacts depending on the type of insecure attachment (high anxiety or high avoidance). Research on stress reactivity using measures of salivary cortisol has shown that insecure attachment is positively correlated with cortisol reactivity, even when accounting for factors such as age and body-mass index. Specifically, there is a link between “high anxiety” (insecure) attachment styles and greater cortisol reactivity as compared to a secure attachment style. However, the link between “high avoidance” (insecure) attachment styles and greater cortisol reactivity when compared to secure attachment style is variable and may be impacted by sex.
This proposed research will further examine the relationship between insecure attachment styles and cortisol levels and explore a potential protective moderator between insecure attachment and cortisol, i.e., sleep. The impact of proper sleep hygiene on HPA axis regulation (particularly cortisol release) and its subsequent positive impact on physical and mental health is documented. However, the proposed study will examine the moderating effects of proper sleep hygiene by analyzing salivary cortisol pre- and post- stressor, and in relation to attachment styles. Research on how proper sleep hygiene may moderate HPA axis functioning in people with insecure attachment styles is important in guiding therapeutic techniques for better physical and mental health.
Start Date
4-4-2017 11:00 AM
End Date
4-4-2017 1:30 PM
Faculty Advisor
Dilbur Arsiwalla
Department
Department of Psychology
Copyright
©2017 Kristin Rooff
File Format
application/pdf
Embargo Date
4-4-2017
Just Sleep it Off: Does Sleep Moderate the Impact of Insecure Attachment Styles on Cortisol Levels?
Insecure attachment styles have been shown to negatively impact several aspects of physical and mental health. An association exists between insecure attachment and dysregulation in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis; in particular, its impact on cortisol release. However, in reaction to a stressor, attachment style has shown varying impacts depending on the type of insecure attachment (high anxiety or high avoidance). Research on stress reactivity using measures of salivary cortisol has shown that insecure attachment is positively correlated with cortisol reactivity, even when accounting for factors such as age and body-mass index. Specifically, there is a link between “high anxiety” (insecure) attachment styles and greater cortisol reactivity as compared to a secure attachment style. However, the link between “high avoidance” (insecure) attachment styles and greater cortisol reactivity when compared to secure attachment style is variable and may be impacted by sex.
This proposed research will further examine the relationship between insecure attachment styles and cortisol levels and explore a potential protective moderator between insecure attachment and cortisol, i.e., sleep. The impact of proper sleep hygiene on HPA axis regulation (particularly cortisol release) and its subsequent positive impact on physical and mental health is documented. However, the proposed study will examine the moderating effects of proper sleep hygiene by analyzing salivary cortisol pre- and post- stressor, and in relation to attachment styles. Research on how proper sleep hygiene may moderate HPA axis functioning in people with insecure attachment styles is important in guiding therapeutic techniques for better physical and mental health.
Comments
Location: Maucker Union Ballroom