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Salivary testosterone and cortisol in disruptive children: relationship to aggressive, hyperactive, and internalizing
1Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA.
Insights
Salivary testosterone is linked to aggression, and cortisol to internalizing behaviors in disruptive children. However, cortisol did not moderate the relationship between testosterone and aggression in this study.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Child Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Hormonal influences on behavior are critical areas of research.
- Testosterone is often associated with aggression, while cortisol is linked to stress and internalizing symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between salivary testosterone and cortisol levels and specific behaviors in disruptive children.
- To examine whether cortisol moderates the association between testosterone and aggression.
Main Methods:
- Saliva samples were collected from 40 disruptive children (ages 7-14).
- Testosterone and cortisol levels were measured.
- Behaviors (aggression, inattention/overactivity, internalizing) were assessed by parents, teachers, and clinic staff.
Main Results:
- Testosterone positively correlated with staff-rated aggression.
- Cortisol positively correlated with parent-rated internalizing behavior.
- Cortisol negatively correlated with staff-rated inattention/overactivity.
- No significant interaction was found between testosterone and cortisol regarding aggression.
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest distinct associations between testosterone and aggression, and cortisol and emotional behaviors in disruptive youth.
- Cortisol does not appear to moderate the testosterone-aggression link in this cohort.
- These hormonal correlates were consistent across various demographic and clinical factors.
Objective:
To test predictions that basal salivary testosterone and cortisol are related to antisocial and internalizing behaviors, respectively, and that cortisol moderates the testosterone-aggression relationship.
Method:
Saliva samples were assayed to determine testosterone and cortisol levels in 40 clinic-referred disruptive children (aged 7 through 14 years) who were rated on aggression, inattention/overactivity, and internalizing behavior by parents, teachers, and clinic staff members.
Results:
Results indicated significant positive relationships between testosterone and staff-rated aggression and between cortisol and parent-rated internalizing behavior. A significant negative relationship was found between cortisol and staff-rated inattention/overactivity. No interactions between testosterone and cortisol were found. These results were maintained regardless of age, racial background, height, weight, diagnosis, or medication status.
Conclusions:
Results suggest moderate relationships between testosterone and observed aggression, and between cortisol and emotional behaviors, in a group of disruptive children. Cortisol did not moderate the testosterone-aggression relationship in this population.