SAHMAnswers

Rumor has it that a mother’s voice alone is enough to calm down their children and make them less nervous in stressful situations.

A study was done on 61 young girls ages 7 to 12. The girls had to answer a series of math problems in front of judges. Prior to solving the math problems, the girls levels of ocytocin and cortisol hormones were measured by researchers. Cortisol is known as the hormone that increases during periods of stress. Oxytocin, on the other hand, is the hormone present in loving situations.

After completing the stressful task in front of the judges, three groups of girls were sent into different rooms. One room had their mothers waiting to congratulate them. Another room had their mothers on the phone, waiting to talk to their daughters. The third room had a children’s movie playing.

What was surprising in this study was not only did the girls who had their mothers with them react positively, but the girls who spoke with their mothers on the phone reacted positively as well. Both groups of girls had rising oxytocin levels and lowering levels of cortisol. The movie playing had no positive or negative impact on the girls.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37092825/ns/health-behavior/