Computationally derived parent-child interaction patterns and oxytocin in children with and without OCD

Abstract

Background

Parent-child interactive processes are important factors in pediatric OCD. Understanding biological mechanisms of parent-child interactive behaviors could help improve treatment of pediatric OCD. Oxytocin has been suggested as a biological mechanism in parent-child interactions. However, no studies in pediatric OCD exist. We used machine learning to discover latent patterns in parent-child interactive behaviors and explored associations with oxytocin in children with and without OCD.

Methods

We used parent and child salivary oxytocin levels measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and investigator-rated parent-child behaviors during a frustration task. Children with or without OCD and their parents – 107 mother-child and 62 father-child pairs were included. We used two machine learning techniques, principal component analysis and archetypal analysis, to generate data-driven, theory-agnostic behavioral variables, and regression to estimate their associations with oxytocin.

Results

Principal component and archetype analyses identified behavioral patterns describing the mother-child and father-child interactions. We found a positive association between child and mother oxytocin and the interaction patterns "overinvolved interaction" and "emotional interaction" and a negative association with "distant interaction". Additionally, mother oxytocin was positively associated with "supportive interaction" and "varied-coping interaction", and negatively associated with "conflictual interaction" and "negative-low support interaction". Father oxytocin was associated with “supportive interactions” only in the presence of child OCD.

Conclusion

Child and mother oxytocin appear related with mother-child interactive patterns. Fathers’ oxytocin was related with interaction patterns only in children with OCD. Our exploratory findings can be used to generate hypothesis for future research regarding the relationship between oxytocin and maladaptive family engagement in OCD and differences between mothers and fathers’ behaviors when the child has OCD.