Adrenocortical Activity and Aggressive Behavior in Children

• In Event: Biosocial Research on Aggression and Delinquency of Young People

Abstract

This paper analyses the relation between adrenocorticol activity and aggression in childhood. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is a key system for the reaction to challenging and stressful situations. Various studies suggest relations between cortisol level and aggressive behavior, but the findings are not consistent. The present data stem from the Erlangen-Nuremberg Development and Prevention Study (Lösel et al., 2013). In a sample of 227 preschool boys salivary cortisol was assessed after awakening and in a stressful situation. Social behavior was measured by ratings in the SBQ (Tremblay et al., 1991). The bivariate analysis showed no significant relation between the various cortisol measurements and aggression. However, a more differentiated pattern analysis revealed the highest cortisol level for boys who were both relatively aggressive and anxious whereas non-anxious aggressive boys had a rather low level of cortisol. In addition, cortisol data in childhood predicted aggression at youth age. Family stress seems to moderate relations, however, there was some inconsistency between different measurements. Overall, the results suggest different physiological processes in more callous/ unemotional versus more reactive/ emotional forms of aggression.

Authors

• Doris Bender, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg

• Friedrich Loesel, Cambridge University / University of Erlangen-Nuremberg

• Mark Stemmler, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg