Attachment figures activate a safety signal-related neural region and reduce pain experience.

TitleAttachment figures activate a safety signal-related neural region and reduce pain experience.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2011
AuthorsEisenberger NI, Master SL, Inagaki TK, Taylor SE, Shirinyan D, Lieberman MD, Naliboff BD
JournalProc Natl Acad Sci U S A
Volume108
Issue28
Pagination11721-6
Date Published2011 Jul 12
ISSN1091-6490
KeywordsAdult, Female, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Models, Neurological, Models, Psychological, Pain, Pain Threshold, Prefrontal Cortex, Social Behavior, Spouses, Young Adult
Abstract

Although it has long been hypothesized that attachment figures provide individuals with a sense of safety and security, the neural mechanisms underlying attachment-induced safety have not been explored. Here, we investigated whether an attachment figure acts as a safety signal by exploring whether viewing an attachment figure during a threatening experience (physical pain) led to increased activity in a neural region associated with safety signaling, the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC), and corresponding reductions in pain. Female participants in long-term romantic relationships were scanned as they received painful stimuli while viewing pictures of their partner and control images (stranger, object). Consistent with the idea that the attachment figure may signal safety, results revealed that viewing partner pictures while receiving painful stimulation led to reductions in self-reported pain ratings, reductions in pain-related neural activity (dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, anterior insula), and increased activity in the VMPFC. Moreover, greater VMPFC activity in response to partner pictures was associated with longer relationship lengths and greater perceived partner support, further highlighting a role for the VMPFC in responding to the safety value of the partner. Last, greater VMPFC activity while viewing partner pictures was associated with reduced pain ratings and reduced pain-related neural activity. An implication of these findings is that, in the same way that stimuli that historically have threatened survival (e.g., snakes, spiders) are considered to be prepared fear stimuli, attachment figures, who have historically benefited survival, may serve as prepared safety stimuli, reducing threat- or distress-related responding in their presence.

DOI10.1073/pnas.1108239108
Alternate JournalProc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.
PubMed ID21709271
PubMed Central IDPMC3136329