Cortisol moderates the relationship between testosterone and aggression in delinquent male adolescents.
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.
Popma
Arne
A
Departments of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam. a.popma@debascule.com
Vermeiren
Robert
R
Geluk
Charlotte A M L
CA
Rinne
Thomas
T
van den Brink
Wim
W
Knol
Dirk L
DL
Jansen
Lucres M C
LM
van Engeland
Herman
H
Doreleijers
Theo A H
TA
D000293:Adolescent; D000374:Aggression / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D006791:Hostility; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011627:Puberty / Q000502:physiology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism; D013739:Testosterone / Q000502:physiology*
D013739:Testosterone; D006854:Hydrocortisone