Androgen levels and anger and impulsivity measures as predictors of physical, verbal and indirect aggression in boys and girls

Abstract

Previous studies indicate that androgen levels and certain psychological characteristics such as anger and impulsivity are related to the development and maintenance of aggression. Further studies are required to analyze the potential predictor role of the interaction of said factors on aggressive behavior. 90 nine-year-old children (44 boys and 46 girls) were assessed in relation to their levels of physical, verbal and indirect aggression, using a peer-rating technique. Testosterone and androstenedione levels were analyzed using an enzymoimmunoassay technique in saliva samples. Anger (state and trait) and anger control were measured using the STAXI-NA, and impulsivity was measured through the MFF-20. A General Linear Model revealed that sex was the best predictor for aggression measures, with boys scoring higher than girls in physical, verbal and indirect aggression; after sex, testosterone was found to be the best predictor (in a positive sense) of all three types of aggressive behavior studied. In addition to observing a main effect of androstenedione on physical and verbal aggression, a 'state anger*androstenedione' interaction was found to predict these types of aggression, with androstenedione acting as a moderator (inhibitor) of the effects of anger on these behaviors; also, a 'state anger*testosterone' interaction was found to predict verbal aggression. The results support the idea that, after sex, androgens constitute a biological marker to be taken into consideration in relation to individual differences in aggressive behavior. It is possible that at the age of 9, testosterone tends to increase aggression, while androstenedione tends to moderate (inhibit) the effects of anger on aggression.

Perceived Parental Rejection Mediates the Influence of Serotonin Transporter Gene (5-HTTLPR) Polymorphisms on Impulsivity in Japanese Adults

“…Further research is needed to explain how the serotonin system interacts with other genes and gender in order to draw a general conclusion on how the serotonin system influences human behaviour. Future studies should increase the number of polymorphisms with regard to impulsivity and perceived parenting; the dopamine receptor gene (DRD4 [36]), and the androgen receptor gene (AR [37]). …”

Environmental Enrichment Preceding Early Adulthood Methylphenidate Treatment Leads to Long Term Increase of Corticosterone and Testosterone in the Rat

“…Furthermore, TST was found to elicit aggressive behavior in children, juvenile and adult males, in both rats and humans [78]–[81]. However, among ADHD treated patients, MPH was found to reduce aggression [43], [82].…”

Parenting styles and hormone levels as predictors of physical and indirect aggression in boys and girls

“…Indeed, some authors argue that authoritarian parenting may be interpreted by the child as a form of rejection, something which may increase hostility; at the same time, the assertive power techniques associated with this parenting style may constitute a model followed by the child in interactions with their peers (Casas et al, ; Nelson et al, ). If, to these potential effects of the authoritarian parenting style, we add the well‐documented positive association between testosterone and aggression in children (Archer, ; Sanchez‐Martin et al, ), the result is an interactive effect of both types of influence which predict an increase in physical aggression levels, as indeed was observed in our study.…”