Grant: Operating Grant

Women are twice as likely to develop stress-related disorders after a serious stressor, such as interpersonal violence. Consequences of violence experiences at any age include mood and anxiety symptoms and a sense of betrayal and mistrust in others. Trust is the foundation for human interaction and is necessary for physical and mental health. Oxytocin (OT) is a brain chemical that is involved in reproduction, trust and stress responses. Animal studies that explored OT in relation to stress and affiliation found significant sex differences in biological and behavioural responses. However, the applicability of animal data to human social behaviours and stress responses is not clear. There are significant gaps in our understanding of OT and its role in affiliation and trust, although there is evidence that we need to look at this separately in men and women. OT is beginning to be used as a treatment for mental disorders, without taking into consideration gender differences and clear evidence of its efficacy. To help address these gaps, we will examine the relationship between OT and trust in women who have had violence experiences and those that have not while controlling for the many variables that may influence levels of trust and levels of OT in women. We will use a single interview, questionnaires and one blood sample to investigate the relationship between OT levels and trust. If OT has any clinical application for stress-related symptoms, studies with women will allow us to further understand the relationships between OT, trust and women's biological and behavioural responses to violence experiences. From such data, new and targeted clinical uses could be developed. It is likely that no single intervention would address the full impact of violence on women's mental health, but OT may show promise as an addition to the repertoire of interventions.