title: Distress of ostracism: oxytocin receptor gene polymorphism confers sensitivity to social exclusion.
abstract: A single-nucleotide polymorphism on the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR), rs53576, involving a guanine (G) to adenine (A) substitution has been associated with altered prosocial features. Specifically, individuals with the GG genotype (i.e. the absence of the polymorphism) display beneficial traits including enhanced trust, empathy and self-esteem. However, because G carriers might also be more socially sensitive, this may render them more vulnerable to the adverse effects of a negative social stressor. The current investigation, conducted among 128 white female undergraduate students, demonstrated that relative to individuals with AA genotype, G carriers were more emotionally sensitive (lower self-esteem) in response to social ostracism promoted through an on-line ball tossing game (Cyberball). Furthermore, GG individuals also exhibited altered blood pressure and cortisol levels following rejection, effects not apparent among A carriers. The data support the view that the presence of the G allele not only promotes prosocial behaviors but also favors sensitivity to a negative social stressor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, and robyn_mcquaid@carleton.ca.
authors.forename: Robyn J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: McQuaid
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, and.
authors.forename: Opal A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: McInnis
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S5B6 Canada.
authors.forename: Kimberly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Matheson
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, and.
authors.forename: Hymie
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Anisman
mesh_terms: D019943:Amino Acid Substitution; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D004645:Empathy / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005717:Games, Experimental; D005838:Genotype; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D012929:Psychological Distance; D018045:Receptors, Oxytocin / Q000235:genetics*; D012059:Rejection, Psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D035502:Trust / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C569600:OXTR protein, human; D018045:Receptors, Oxytocin; D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: SNP; cortisol; ostracism; oxytocin; social sensitivity