Salivary testosterone and cortisol in a delinquent and violent urban subculture

J Soc Psychol. 1996 Feb;136(1):49-56. doi: 10.1080/00224545.1996.9923028.

Abstract

Salivary testosterone and cortisol levels were measured in 36 U.S. college students and 29 delinquent participants of a similar age. Both groups of participants were made up of White men and women. The delinquent group, which was characterized by flamboyant dress, drug use, and violence, had significantly higher testosterone levels than the college students did, but the two groups did not differ regarding cortisol levels. Testosterone and cortisol were positively correlated in the women.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aggression / physiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone / metabolism*
  • Juvenile Delinquency / psychology*
  • Male
  • Reference Values
  • Saliva / metabolism*
  • Social Identification
  • Testosterone / metabolism*
  • Urban Population*
  • Violence / psychology*

Substances

  • Testosterone
  • Hydrocortisone