Examining Testosterone and Aggression in a Biosocial Framework Open Access
Ryan, Stacy R (2010)
Published
Abstract
Recent investigations suggest that examining the moderating role
of social context
variables may be important for understanding the link between
testosterone and
adolescent aggression and delinquency. The present research extends
previous work by
examining the interaction between testosterone and social context
within a cross-sectional
study (Study One) and within a longitudinal treatment outcome study
(Study Two).
Study One examined adolescent boys between the ages of 12 and 17
who were
participating in a larger longitudinal investigation of
Multisystemic Therapy in
community settings. Data were gathered in the context of
pre-treatment assessments, and
were analyzed to test the hypotheses that the relationship between
testosterone and
aggression and delinquency depends on (a) deviant peer group
affiliation, (b) parenting
style, and/or (c) basal cortisol levels. Results did not reveal
significant interactions
between testosterone and cortisol or between testosterone and
social context (i.e.,
parenting style and deviant peer affiliation) as predictors of
aggressive or delinquent
outcomes. Study Two extended the investigation of these variables
to a treatment context
by examining the relationship between testosterone and social
context and testosterone
and cortisol on the growth trajectories of caregiver report of
therapist adherence, youth
aggression, and youth delinquency. Study Two also examined the
co-variation between
testosterone and youth aggression and delinquency over the course
of MST treatment.
Results revealed a lower rate of positive change in caregiver
report of therapist adherence
for the youth in the sample who had both high basal cortisol levels
and high testosterone
levels at pre-treatment. Additionally, the combination of high
testosterone and high
deviant peer affiliation as well as the combination of high
testosterone and high quality
parenting at pre-treatment were associated with less of a decline
in aggression and
delinquency over the course of treatment. Last, results of Study
Two revealed a positive
association between testosterone and delinquency across time in the
MST treatment
context. Results of Study One add to the mixed literature on the
association between
testosterone and aggression and delinquency. Results of Study Two
provide novel
evidence for the role of testosterone in the prediction of future
externalizing behaviors.
Clinical and theoretical implications are discussed.
Examining Testosterone and Aggression in a Biosocial
Framework
By
Stacy R. Ryan
B.A., Emory University, 2004
M.A., Emory University, 2006
Advisor: Patricia Brennan, Ph.D.
A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the
James T. Laney School of Graduate Studies of Emory University
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology
2010
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
General Introduction: Examining Testosterone & Aggression in a
Biosocial Framework ................1
STUDY ONE: Cross-Sectional Study
Introduction
................................................................................................................5
Rationale
...................................................................................................................14
Methods
....................................................................................................................15
Measures
...................................................................................................................20
Analytic Procedures
.....................................................................................................27
Results
......................................................................................................................28
Discussion
..................................................................................................................31
STUDY TWO: A Longitudinal Analysis
Introduction
...............................................................................................................35
Rationale
...................................................................................................................41
Methods
....................................................................................................................43
Measures
...................................................................................................................45
Analytic Procedures
.....................................................................................................56
Results
......................................................................................................................59
Discussion
..................................................................................................................70
General Discussion
.......................................................................................................77
References
.................................................................................................................80
Appendix A: Peer Delinquency Scale
................................................................................97
Appendix B: Self-Report Delinquency Scale
......................................................................100
Appendix C: Health Questionnaire
..................................................................................103
Appendix D: HLM Interpretation
.....................................................................................106
Footnote
...................................................................................................................108
Table 1: Study One, Mean Testosterone Levels of Participants for
each Agency .....................110
Table 2: Study One, Correlations Between Testosterone, Height,
Weight, & Body Mass.............111
Table 3: Study One, Descriptive Statistics
.......................................................................112
Table 4: Study One, Correlation Between Independent & Dependent
Variables ........................113
Table 5: Study One, Correlation Between Continuous Demographic
and Dependent
Variables used in Analysis
............................................................................................114
Table 6: Study One, Correlation Between Dichotomous Demographic and
Dependent
Variables used in Analysis
............................................................................................115
Table 7: Study One, Direct Effects of Basal Testosterone Predicting
Self-Report General
Delinquency Scale
......................................................................................................116
Table 8: Study One, Direct Effects of Basal Testosterone Predicting
CBCL Aggression Scale......117
Table 9: Study One, Direct Effects of Basal Testosterone Predicting
CBCL Delinquency Scale....118
Table 10: Study Two, Cross-Sectional Descriptive Statistics for the
Independent and
Dependent Variables used in
Analysis..........................................................119
Table 11: Study Two, Correlations Among Study Variables..120
Table 12: Study Two, Testosterone X Cortisol Predicting Caregiver
Report of Therapist Adherence...122
Table 13: Study Two, Testosterone X Deviant Peer Affiliation
Predicting CBCL
Aggression and
Delinquency..........................................123
Table 14: Study Two, Testosterone X Caregiver Report of Parenting
Predicting Delinquency.......124
Figure 1: Simple Slope Plot Illustrating the Interaction of Time 1
Testosterone and Time
1 Cortisol on Changes in Caregiver Report of Therapist Adherence
Over the Course of
Treatment..............................................125
Figure 2: Simple Slope Plot Illustrating the Interaction of Time 1
Testosterone and Time
1 Deviant Peer Affiliation on Changes in CBCL Aggression Over the
Course of
Treatment .............................................126
Figure 3: Simple Slope Plot Illustrating the Interaction of Time 1
Testosterone and Time
1 Deviant Peer Affiliation on Changes in CBCL Delinquency Over the
Course of
Treatment ................................................127
Figure 4: Simple Slope Plot Illustrating the Interaction of Time 1
Testosterone and Time
1 Caregiver Report of Parent-Child Relationship Quality on Changes
in CBCL
Delinquency Over the Course of
Treatment...............................128
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