Adrenal androgens and aggression in conduct disorder prepubertal boys and normal controls
Abstract
Background The evidence for a role of androgens in human aggression is less convincing than in animals. We examined the relationship between androgens and aggression in prepubertal boys who were diagnosed as suffering from severe aggression and antisocial behavior.Methods Plasma levels of testosterone (T), androstenedione (A), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) were measured in 15 boys with a conduct disorder (CD) and 25 normal control (NC) boys. Parents and teachers of the children rated the intensity of aggression and delinquency over the last 6 months.Results CD boys had significantly higher levels of DHEAS and marginally significantly higher levels of A; there were no differences in T. Moreover, DHEAS levels were significantly positively correlated with the intensity of aggression and delinquency as rated by both parents and teachers.Conclusions The results suggest that adrenal androgen functioning plays an important role in the onset and maintenance, of aggression in young boys.
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- Authors
- van Goozen, S. H. M., Matthys, W., Cohen-Kettenis, P. T., Thijssen, J. H. H., & van Engeland, H.
- Affiliations
- University Medical Center Utrecht (NL)
- Venue
- Biological Psychiatry
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 1998-01
- Volume
- 43
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 156-158
- ISSN
- 0006-3223 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2032577986
- Cited by
- 165
- References
- 13
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 20 · 2024: 2 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 8
- FWCI
- 7.00
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Biological Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Amsterdam UMC (VU Amsterdam) - Institutional Repository (publishedVersion)
- Pure Amsterdam UMC (submittedVersion)
- Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
- Keywords
- adrenal androgens, aggression, conduct disorder, prepubertal boys, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, androstenedione, testosterone, antisocial behavior, delinquency, parent and teacher ratings
- MeSH terms
- Adrenal Glands, Aggression, Androgens, Child, Humans, Intelligence Tests, Juvenile Delinquency, Male, Testosterone, Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate, Conduct Disorder
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