ABSTRACT
In this chapter, we review research on the neuroendocrinology of close relationship processes, with a focus on human romantic relationships and in the context of parenthood. We focus on steroid hormones, such as testosterone and estradiol, which have been implicated in the development and maintenance of both pair- and parent-child bonds. Perhaps surprisingly, although both partnering and parenting are inherently dyadic processes that unfold over time, the vast majority of research in this area has been conducted with individuals (as opposed to couples or parent-child dyads) and at one point in time (rather than longitudinally). This work also tends to be someone sex-stereotyped, in that (for instance) stereotypically “male” hormones such as testosterone are much more likely to be assessed in research on fathers versus mothers, whereas stereotypically “female” hormones such as estradiol are much more likely to be assessed in research on mothers versus fathers. Additionally, relatively few studies assess individual differences in associations between hormones and relationship processes or outcomes. We review the literature linking steroid hormones with key processes and outcomes in romantic relationships, with special attention to understudied topics such as (a) how one individual’s hormones may influence (or be influenced by) his or her partner’s relationship functioning, (b) how hormone levels may change over time as a function of relationship experiences such as parenting, (c) the extent to which hormone-relationship associations may differ by sex or gender, and (d) how these processes may differ across people.
