Comparative studies of social buffering: A consideration of approaches, terminology, and pitfalls

Abstract

KIYOKAWA, Y. and HENNESSY, M.B. Comparative studies of social buffering: A consideration of approaches, terminology, and pitfalls…NEUROSCI BIOBEHAV REV XXX-XXX, .- Over the past decades, there has been an increasing number of investigations of the impact of social variables on neural, endocrine, and immune outcomes. Among these are studies of "social buffering"-or the phenomenon by which affiliative social partners mitigate the response to stressors. Yet, as social buffering studies have become more commonplace, the variety of approaches taken, definitions employed, and divergent results obtained in different species can lead to confusion and miscommunication. The aim of the present paper, therefore, is to address terminology and approaches and to highlight potential pitfalls to the study of social buffering across nonhuman species. We review and categorize variables currently being employed in social buffering studies and provide an overview of responses measured, mediating sensory modalities and underlying mechanisms. It is our hope that the paper will be useful to those contemplating examination of social buffering in the context of their own research.

Keywords: Affiliation; Attachment; Bonding; Maternal buffering; Social buffering; Stress.

Fig. 1

Summary of the findings in neural circuits underlying social buffering. (A) Possible neural mechanisms underlying social buffering in rodent pups. Solid and dashed lines represent pathways proposed in each experimental model. (B) Presumed neural mechanisms underlying social buffering by mates in female prairie voles. (C) Possible neural mechanisms underlying social buffering by adult conspecifics other than mother and mates. Solid and dashed lines represent pathways proposed in each experimental model. However, the pathways do not necessarily imply direct anatomical connections. Hypothetical buffering pathways are marked by asterisks. AOP, posterior complex of the anterior olfactory nucleus; CORT, corticosterone or cortisol; CRH, corticotropin releasing hormone; LA; lateral amygdala; LRN, lateral reticular nucleus; MOB, main olfactory bulb; NE, norepinephrine; NTS, nucleus of the solitary tract; OXT, oxytocin; PL, prelimbic cortex; PVN, paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus; VP, vasopressin.