For Comfort, Mom's Voice Works as Well as a Hug

**Nate** · #1 05-12-2010, 10:37 AM

For Comfort, Mom's Voice Works as Well as a Hug

ScienceDaily (May 12, 2010) —" "Reach out and touch someone" -- good advertising slogan, or evolutionary imperative?

How about both?
What Madison Avenue knew decades ago has been observed in brain chemistry. A simple phone call from mom can calm frayed nerves by sparking the release of a powerful stress-quelling hormone, according to researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Biological anthropologist Leslie Seltzer tested a group of seven- to 12-year-old girls with an impromptu speech and series of math problems in front of a panel of strangers, sending their hearts racing and levels of cortisol -- a hormone associated with stress -- soaring.
"Facing a challenge like that, being evaluated, raises stress levels for a lot of people," says Seth Pollak, psychology professor and director of UW-Madison's Child Emotion Lab.
Once stressed, one-third of the girls were comforted in person by their mothers -- specifically with hugs, an arm around the shoulders and the like. One-third were left watch an emotion-neutral 75-minute video. The rest were handed a telephone. It was mom on the line, and the effect was dramatic..."

Click on the link for the full article:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100511201730.htm

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