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Longitudinal associations in adolescence between cortisol and persistent aggressive or rule-breaking behavior.
Evelien Platje1, Lucres M C Jansen, Adrian Raine
1VU University Medical Center, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, PO Box 303, 1115 ZG Duivendrecht, The Netherlands. e.platje@debascule.com
Biological Psychology
|January 26, 2013
Summary
Persistent aggression in adolescents is linked to lower cortisol awakening response (CAR) over time. This neurobiological difference distinguishes aggressive teens from peers, aiding in predicting persistent aggression.
Area of Science:
- Neurobiology
- Adolescent Psychology
- Developmental Science
Background:
- Antisocial behavior is linked to decreased cortisol awakening response (CAR), but findings in adolescents are inconsistent.
- Adolescence is a critical period for CAR development and diverse antisocial behavior patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To longitudinally examine the development of CAR in persistent aggressive and rule-breaking adolescents compared to low-risk peers.
- To investigate neurobiological correlates of persistent aggression and rule-breaking behavior during adolescence.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study followed 390 adolescents from ages 15 to 17.
- Cortisol awakening response (CAR) was measured annually.
- Adolescents were categorized based on persistent aggression and rule-breaking behaviors.
Main Results:
- Persistently high aggressive adolescents exhibited consistently decreased cortisol levels at awakening compared to low aggressive peers (p=.01).
- No significant differences in CAR were found between persistent rule-breaking and low rule-breaking adolescents.
- This study is the first to demonstrate a link between persistent aggression and neurobiological alterations.
Conclusions:
- Persistent aggression, not rule-breaking, is associated with neurobiological alterations in adolescents.
- The consistent decrease in CAR among persistently aggressive adolescents is a key predictor.
- Findings highlight the importance of differentiating aggression from rule-breaking in adolescent mental health research.
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