This finding may have implications for attachment
avoidance. Essentially, avoidant individuals stifle communion
to cope with the pain of rejecting or unavailable
close others. Although such strategies may temporarily
alleviate distress, avoidance is associated with numerous
negative outcomes (Mikulincer & Shaver, 2007). The fact
that oxytocin made avoidant individuals feel comfortable
describing themselves as gentle and able to devote themselves
completely to others is notable given that the interpersonal
barriers erected by avoidant individuals are
quite difficult to break down (Mikulincer & Shaver, 2007);
this finding also bodes well for the possibility that oxytocin
could facilitate their comfort with closeness in everyday
life.