Citation

Popma A, Vermeiren R, Geluk CA, Rinne T, van den Brink W, Knol DL, Jansen LM, Van Engeland H, Doreleijers TAH. Biol. Psychiatry 2007; 61(3): 405-411.

Affiliation

Departments of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam. a.popma@debascule.com

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.biopsych.2006.06.006

PMID

16950214

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In animals, strong evidence exists for an association between testosterone and aggression. In humans, and particularly in children and adolescents, findings have been less consistent. Previous research has suggested that this may partly be due to moderating effects of other factors, e.g., hormones. This study aims to investigate the moderating effect of cortisol on the relationship between testosterone and subtypes of aggression in delinquent male adolescents. METHODS: Participants were 103 boys (mean age 13.7) referred to a delinquency diversion program. Testosterone and cortisol levels were determined from saliva samples collected during resting conditions and related to self-report scores on overt and covert aggression. RESULTS: Linear regression analyses revealed a significant interaction between cortisol and testosterone in relation to overt aggression, with a significant positive relationship between testosterone and overt aggression in subjects with low cortisol levels but not in subjects with high cortisol levels. Using the same model for covert aggression, no significant effects of testosterone, cortisol, or testosterone x cortisol interaction were found. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate a moderating effect of cortisol on the relationship between testosterone and overt aggression in delinquent male adolescents. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Language: en