title: Adult attachment style and cortisol responses in women in late pregnancy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent research has documented the association between attachment and cortisol rhythms. During pregnancy, when attachment patterns are likely to be activated, elevated levels of cortisol are associated with negative effects for the mother and the foetus. The aim of the present study was to examine the association of adult attachment style and cortisol rhythms in pregnant women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty women in the third trimester of pregnancy participated in the study. Adult attachment was assessed using the Adult Attachment Scale - Revised (AAS-R). Participants collected 4 samples of salivary cortisol at two different days; 3 samples were collected in the morning immediately after wakeup and one sample was collected by bedtime.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results found group significant differences in the cortisol diurnal oscillation (F (1,71) =26.46, p < .001,), with secure women reporting a steep decrease in cortisol from awakening to bedtime, while women with fearful avoidant attachment reported no changes. No group differences were found regarding the cortisol awakening response.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results highlight the importance of considering attachment patterns during pregnancy, suggesting fearful avoidant attachment style as a possible risk factor for emotional difficulties and dysregulation of the neuroendocrine rhythms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology, Maternity Hospital Alfredo da Costa, Rua Viriato, 1069-089, Lisbon, Portugal. hcostamartins@gmail.com.
authors.forename: José Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Costa-Martins
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra, Rua do Colégio Novo, 3001-802, Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Mariana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moura-Ramos
authors.affiliation: Clinical Pathology, Biochemistry, Maternity Hospital Alfredo da Costa, Rua Viriato, 1069-089, Lisbon, Portugal.
authors.forename: Maria João
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Cascais
authors.affiliation: Education Department, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Carlos Fernandes
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.affiliation: ISPA, University Institute, Rua Jardim do Tabaco, n°34, 1149-041, Lisbon, Portugal.
authors.forename: Henriqueta
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Costa-Martins
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra, Rua do Colégio Novo, 3001-802, Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernani Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Coelho
authors.affiliation: Anaesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernani Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tavares
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D009769:Object Attachment; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third / Q000502:physiology*; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone