Maternal oxytocin is connected to aspects of parenting including sensitivity, warmth,
positive affect, and affectionate touch. Oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene polymorphisms
are associated with circulating oxytocin levels, altered brain activity, and parenting
behaviors. This study aimed to replicate prior work on OXTR SNPs rs1042778 and rs53576
in relation to maternal sensitivity, explore associations with other aspects of parenting
(i.e., negative parenting), evaluate observational and self-report measures of parenting
in relation to OXTR SNPs, and examine whether childhood trauma exposure moderates
the relation between OXTR SNPs and parenting. Mothers ( N =100) were observed during
two teaching interaction tasks with their 7-month-old infant, completed questionnaire
and interview measures related to parenting and trauma history, and provided saliva
specimens to derive OXTR genotypes. Mothers with OXTR rs1042778 TT genotypes demonstrated
lower behavioral sensitivity, lower engagement, higher intrusiveness, and more frequent
frightened/frightening behavior than mothers with TG or GG genotypes. Genotype interacted
with childhood trauma history such that mothers who had experienced childhood trauma
were more likely to demonstrate frightened/frightening behavior if they had the TT
genotype on rs1042778 relative to the TG or GG genotype; however, small cell sizes
for this interaction suggest replication is warranted. Contrary to expectations, mothers
with the TT genotype on rs1042778 self-reported that they had less impaired bonding
than mothers with TG or GG genotypes. Results are discussed with respect to prior
work with oxytocin in lower-versus higher-risk samples, and the potential role of
mothers’ self-awareness in explaining discrepancies between results from observational
versus self-report measures of parenting.