TY  -  JOUR
AU  -  Fojanesi, Marta
AU  -  Gallo, Mariana
AU  -  Spaziani, Matteo
AU  -  Russo, Federica
AU  -  Valentini, Martina
AU  -  Bersani, Francesco Saverio
AU  -  Biondi, Massimo
AU  -  Radicioni, Antonio
T1  -  Preliminary findings on the association between attachment patterns 
and levels of growth hormone in a sample of children 
with non-organic failure to thrive
PY  -  2018
Y1  -  2018-01-01
DO  -  10.1708/2866.28923
JO  -  Rivista di Psichiatria
JA  -  Riv Psichiatr
VL  -  53
IS  -  1
SP  -  49
EP  -  52
PB  -  Il Pensiero Scientifico Editore
SN  -  2038-2502
Y2  -  2026/05/21
UR  -  http://dx.doi.org/10.1708/2866.28923
N2  -  SUMMARY. Introduction. Deficiency of growth hormone (GH) in absence of pituitary injuries is one of the causes of short stature and of the non organic failure to thrive (NOFTT) condition. Advances in developmental psychology have highlighted the role of emotions and caregiving behaviors in the organization of child’s personality and psychobiology, with the mother-son attachment bond being considered a fundamental developmental experience. The objective of the present preliminary study was to assess whether there are significant correlations between attachment patterns and GH levels in a sample of subjects with NOFTT. Methods. Overall, 27 children (mean age 9.49±2.63 years) with NOFTT were enrolled. Perceived attachment security was assessed through the Security Scale (SS) and its subscales focused on maternal and paternal security. Pearson partial correlation was used to test associations between GH levels and SS measures adjusting for confounding factors (i.e. age, gender and body mass index). Results. Across all subjects, GH was significantly positively correlated with general security (r=0.425; p=0.038) and maternal security (r=0.451; p=0.027) and not significantly correlated with paternal security (r=0.237; p=0.264). Discussion. These findings preliminarily suggest that the association between GH levels and perceived attachment security may play a role in the pathophysiology of NOFTT and add to the accumulating evidence that attachment patterns may be related with specific psychoendocrine underpinnings.
ER  -