Longitudinal patterns in aggression and testosterone: association with psychosocial risk factors

• In Event: Psychosocial Risk Factors over the Life Course

Abstract

Studies have repeatedly linked testosterone levels to violent behaviour, although recently studies have suggested that testosterone is directly related to dominance and indirectly related to aggression in males. It is also thought that testosterone is related to social well-being and success. This study analyses data from the Cambridge Study in Delinquent Development (CSDD) in an attempt to clarify the link between testosterone, violent behaviours, social dominance, and the environmental context such as psychosocial factors and life success. Saliva was collected from a sample of males who were aged 48 and have been long-term participants in the CSDD. They also participated in face-to-face medical and social interviews. Their criminal records were obtained from the Ministry to Justice in London. This data was analysed in order to establish whether there was an association between testosterone levels and violence (self-reported and official records) and whether the environmental context (psychosocial factors and life success) were related to testosterone levels. The findings showed that males in the study who had scored higher on measures of life success (accommodation, employment, cohabitation, no alcohol misuse, and no drug use) had higher testosterone levels suggesting that that testosterone is linked directly to dominance, and indirectly to aggression.

Author

• Katherine Mary Auty, University of Cambridge / University College London