An association between belief in life after death and serum oxytocin in older people in rural Japan
An association between belief in life after death and serum oxytocin in older people in rural Japan
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DOI：
10.1002/gps.4453
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发表时间：
2017-01-01
影响因子：
4
通讯作者：
Monji, Akira
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Imamura, Yoshiomi;Mizoguchi, Yoshito;Monji, Akira
目的先前的研究表明，灵性/宗教信仰对心理和身体健康都有好处，这是通过皮质醇和IL-6等生物学指标来衡量的。然而，关于宗教信仰与催产素的联系的研究很少，催产素是一种由脑下垂体分泌的神经肽荷尔蒙。外周催产素的水平被认为反映了社会关系中纽带和压力调节的强度。因此，催产素系统可能支持生物机制，通过这种机制，相信死后重生与良好的心理和身体健康有关。在这里，我们研究催产素和对死后生命的信仰之间的联系。方法我们招募了317名居住在社区的人，年龄在65岁或以上，没有认知或智力缺陷，生活在日本农村。我们使用韦氏记忆量表记录了人口统计学、对死后重生的信仰和逻辑记忆。结果女性血清催产素水平高于男性，且与对死后生命信念的强弱呈负相关。结论根据催产素系统的焦虑或缓解焦虑功能的不同，我们的发现可以得到不同的解释。对来世信仰的更多认可可能会减少安全依恋。或者，根据文献表明，那些关系痛苦或焦虑减少的人，催产素的基础水平较低，来世信念可能在这些减少中起到作用。版权所有(C)2016 John Wiley&Sons，Ltd.
ObjectivePrevious research suggests that spirituality/religiosity has benefits for both mental and physical health, measured using biological indices such as cortisol and IL-6. However, there have been few studies concerning the association of religious beliefs with oxytocin, a neuropeptide hormone secreted by the pituitary. Levels of peripheral oxytocin are thought to reflect the strength of bonding and stress regulation in social relationships. As such, the oxytocin system may underpin the biological mechanisms by which belief in life after death is associated with good mental and physical health. Here, we examine associations between oxytocin and belief in life after death.MethodsWe recruited 317 community-dwelling people, aged 65 or older, without cognitive or mental deficits, and living in rural Japan. We recorded demographics, belief in life after death, and logical memory using the Wechsler Memory Scale. Levels of serum oxytocin were obtained using an enzyme immunoassay method.ResultsSerum oxytocin levels were higher among women than men and were negatively associated with strength of belief in life after death.ConclusionsOur findings could be interpreted differently depending on whether the anxiogenic or anxiolytic function of the oxytocin system is considered. Greater endorsement of afterlife beliefs may reduce secure attachment. Alternatively, based on the literature suggesting that basal levels of oxytocin are lower in those with reduced relational distress or anxiety, afterlife beliefs may play a role in these reductions. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.