Estrogen or testosterone increases self-reported aggressive behaviors in hypogonadal adolescents.

Publication/Presentation Date

8-1-1997

Abstract

A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled cross-over clinical trial was used to determine the role of sex steroids on the development of aggressive behaviors in 35 boys and 14 girls. Depo-testosterone (to boys) or conjugated estrogens (to girls) was administered in 3-month blocks alternating with placebo at three dose levels approximating early, middle and late pubertal amounts. The Olweus Multifaceted Aggression Inventory was administered after each placebo and treatment period to ascertain the effect of sex steroids on self-reported aggressive behaviors. We employed a strict intent-to-treat analytical model. The data demonstrated significant hormone effects on physical aggressive behaviors and aggressive impulses, but not in verbal aggressive behaviors nor aggressive inhibitions in both boys and girls. These results are the first to causally relate the administration of physiological doses of sex steroids to changes in aggressive behaviors in adolescents.

Volume

82

Issue

8

First Page

2433

Last Page

2438

ISSN

0021-972X

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences | Pediatrics

PubMedID

9253313

Department(s)

Department of Pediatrics

Document Type

Article

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