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Dissertation_OlenaZyga_ETD_4.9.19.pdf (721.56 KB)

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From Behavior to Biology: Examining Oxytocin, Social Cognitive Ability, and Parent-Child Interactions in Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Zyga, Olena
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1554976738357849

Abstract Details

2019, Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, Psychology.
Individuals with ASD show pervasive deficits in social cognition. Recently, the hormone oxytocin (OXT) has been implicated in playing a role in the social difficulties individuals with ASD face. Given a lack of preliminary research in characterizing OXT expression, a focus on better understanding the expression of OXT and how malleable hormone expression is to behavioral intervention alone is warranted. Thus, the current study aimed to (1) characterize child basal peripheral OXT concentration levels, social cognitive ability, parent functioning, and parent-child interactions in children with ASD and typical development (TD) and (2) measure the impact a telehealth parent training program had on OXT levels, social cognitive ability, parent functioning, and quality of parent-child engagement in children with ASD. To meet these aims, 18 children with ASD (ages 3-5 years) and 21 age-matched TD peers were recruited to undergo peripheral OXT collection via saliva sample and measures of social cognitive ability and parent-child engagement. Results showed that the two samples did not differ in OXT concentration levels at baseline and children with ASD had significantly lower scores across all domains as compared to the TD group. Concerning intervention efficacy, a main finding was that there was no significant change from baseline to post-intervention in OXT concentration levels. Participants with ASD did show significant increases in their emotion recognition and overall mood during the parent child interaction. Parents of children with ASD showed significant decreases in levels of reported depression and stress. The findings from this study suggest that the relationship of OXT with social cognitive ability and disorder category are complex and nuanced. Results do not support the concept of an “OXT deficit” in children with ASD. Oxytocin may have unique relationships with social cognitive variables across different groups and levels of functioning. A remote parent-training intervention program was shown to be effective in targeting emotional recognition, parental levels of stress and depression, and the overall mood of parent-child engagement. Taken together, these findings suggest that further investigation of oxytocin in the preschool period is warranted and may have implications for early identification and treatment.
Anastasia Dimitropoulos, PhD (Committee Chair)
Russ Sandra , PhD (Committee Member)
Short Elizabeth, PhD (Committee Member)
Lynn Audrey, PhD (Committee Member)
Developmental Psychology; Psychobiology

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Zyga, O. (2019). From Behavior to Biology: Examining Oxytocin, Social Cognitive Ability, and Parent-Child Interactions in Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder [Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1554976738357849

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Zyga, Olena. From Behavior to Biology: Examining Oxytocin, Social Cognitive Ability, and Parent-Child Interactions in Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder. 2019. Case Western Reserve University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1554976738357849.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Zyga, Olena. "From Behavior to Biology: Examining Oxytocin, Social Cognitive Ability, and Parent-Child Interactions in Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder." Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1554976738357849

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

case1554976738357849
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© 2019, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies and OhioLINK.