Citation

Sanchez-Martin JR, Azurmendi Imaz A, Fano Ardanaz E, Braza Lloret F, Muñoz Sánchez JM, Carreras de Alba MR. Psicothema 2009; 21(1): 57-62.

Vernacular Title

Niveles de androgenos, estilos parentales y conducta agresiva en ninos y ninas de

Affiliation

Universidad del País Vasco, Spain. joseramon.sanchez@chu.es

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Departamento de Psicología de la Universidad de Oviedo, Publisher Colegio Oficial de Psicológicas de Asturias)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

19178857

Abstract

Androgen levels, parenting styles and aggressive behavior in 5-6-year-old boys and girls. This study explores the relationship between androgen levels, parenting styles, and physical, verbal, and indirect aggression measures in 5-6-year-old children. 129 children (60 boys and 69 girls) were assessed in relation to their aggression levels using a peer-rating technique. Parents completed the Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire, from which the different parenting styles were obtained. Testosterone, androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) were measured using an enzymoimmunoassay technique in saliva samples. A regression analysis indicated that the directive mother-androstenedione interaction at the age of 5 was predictive of physical aggression at the age of 6. In specific terms, the results showed that, in boys with high androstenedione levels, directive maternal behavior is associated with physical aggression. The results are subsequently discussed in light of postulates related to parenting characteristic of developmental psychology and we suggest a potential link of our results with the hypothesis of maternal dominance.

Language: es