Correlation Between Personality Traits and Testosterone Concentrations in Healthy Population

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Psychology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Plasma testosterone is linked to aggression, sexual behavior, and social status.
• Understanding testosterone's influence on personality is crucial for behavioral science.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between basal plasma testosterone levels and personality variables in healthy individuals.
• To explore potential gender-specific relationships between testosterone and personality traits.

Main Methods:

• Fifty-four healthy participants were randomly enrolled.
• Basal plasma testosterone levels were measured in the morning.
• Participants completed validated personality questionnaires after blood collection.

Main Results:

• A positive correlation was found between testosterone levels and antisocial personality traits in both genders.
• Testosterone levels correlated with criminal thinking and compulsive traits across genders.
• In females, testosterone correlated with psychoticism and self-direction (Cloninger AUTO TCI).
• In males, testosterone correlated with antisocial traits, hypomania, and drug abuse traits.

Conclusions:

• Gender differences exist in the relationship between plasma testosterone levels and personality traits.
• Higher testosterone in men is associated with clinical traits, substance abuse, and hypomania.
• Higher testosterone in women is linked to increased scores on self-direction personality traits.