Relationship status and testosterone in North American heterosexual and non-heterosexual men and women: cross-sectional and longitudinal data.
Previous research has found that single heterosexual (Het) men have higher salivary testosterone (T) concentrations than partnered Het men. Here, we used both longitudinal and cross-sectional analyses to examine a more diverse population (n = 258) that included Het and non-heterosexual (Non-Het) women and men. Results showed that, for Het men (but not Het women) and Non-Het women (but not Non-Het men), baseline T was significantly lower in partnered than unpartnered individuals. Longitudinal analyses indicated that changes in partnered status were not associated with changes in testosterone concentrations; instead, women and men with lower T at baseline were significantly more likely to be partnered at follow-up. These findings thus suggest that partnered status is associated with stable, trait-level T values, rather than current state. Furthermore, the observed effect is limited to individuals (male or female) who are oriented toward female partners. The results are discussed in terms of evolutionary trade-offs between single and multiple partners, and the possibility of female choice and/or disinterest.
van Anders
Sari M
SM
Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5A 1S6.
Watson
Neil V
NV
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002170:Canada; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D019529:Sexuality / Q000502:physiology*; D012931:Social Environment; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism*
D013739:Testosterone