Aggressive Behavior in School-aged Children: Clusters based on Anger, Empathy and Testosterone and Cortisol Measures.

The aim of this piece of research was to study the existence of clusters based on anger, empathy and cortisol and testosterone measures associated with aggressive behavior in school-aged children. The sample group comprised 139 eight-year-old children (80 boys and 59 girls). Aggressive behavior was measured using the Direct and Indirect Aggression Scale. Both psychological and biological variables were used to determine psychobiological profiles. The psychological variables considered were trait anger, measured using the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory for Children and Adolescents, and empathy, measured using the Empathy Quotient-Child Version. Testosterone and cortisol concentrations were measured through saliva samples and analyzed using an ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). A Cluster Analysis revealed three clusters which were clearly different as regards their psychological and biological characteristics. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that the cluster characterized by having higher anger levels, lower empathy levels and higher testosterone and cortisol levels was more aggressive than the other two (p < .0001, η2 = .19). The results indicate that studying psychological and biological variables together may help establish differentiated aggression patterns among children.

Aggressive behavior in school-aged children: clusters based on anger, empathy and testosterone and cortisol measures

The aim of this piece of research was to study the existence of clusters based on anger, empathy and cortisol and testosterone measures associated with aggressive behavior in school-aged children. The sample group comprised 139 eight-year-old children (80 boys and 59 girls). Aggressive behavior was measured using the Direct and Indirect Aggression Scale. Both psychological and biological variables were used to determine psychobiological profiles. The psychological variables considered were trait anger, measured using the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory for Children and Adolescents, and empathy, measured using the Empathy Quotient-Child Version. Testosterone and cortisol concentrations were measured through saliva samples and analyzed using an ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). A Cluster Analysis revealed three clusters which were clearly different as regards their psychological and biological characteristics. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that the cluster characterized by having higher anger levels, lower empathy levels and higher testosterone and cortisol levels was more aggressive than the other two (p < .0001, η2 = .19). The results indicate that studying psychological and biological variables together may help establish differentiated aggression patterns among children

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Niveles de andrógenos, estilos parentales y conducta agresiva en niños y niñas de 5-6 años de edad / Androgen levels, parenting styles and aggressive behavior in 5-6-year-old boys and girls

El presente estudio explora la relación entre los niveles de andrógenos, el estilo educativo parental y medidas de agresión física, verbal e indirecta en niños y niñas de 5-6 años. 129 niños (60 chicos y 69 chicas) fueron evaluados respecto a sus niveles de agresión a través de una técnica de estimación por pares. Los padres cumplimentaron el Parenting Styles Dimensions Questionnaire, a partir del cual se obtuvieron los estilos educativos parentales. Los niveles de testosterona, androstenediona y dehidroepiandrosterona (DHEA) fueron evaluados utilizando una técnica de enzimoinmunoensayo en muestras de saliva. Un análisis de regresión indicó que la interacción madre directiva-androstenediona a los 5 años fue predictiva de la agresión física a los 6 años. De forma específica, se observó que en los chicos con altos niveles de androstenediona, la conducta maternal directiva se asoció con la agresión física. Se discuten los resultados a la luz de planteamientos relacionados con la educación y la crianza característicos de la psicología del desarrollo, y se sugiere una posible relación de los resultados con la hipótesis de la dominancia maternal (AU)

This study explores the relationship between androgen levels, parenting styles, and physical, verbal, and indirect aggression measures in 5-6-year-old children. 129 children (60 boys and 69 girls) were assessed in relation to their aggression levels using a peer-rating technique. Parents completed the Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire, from which the different parenting styles were obtained. Testosterone, androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) were measured using an enzymoimmunoassay technique in saliva samples. A regression analysis indicated that the directive mother-androstenedione interaction at the age of 5 was predictive of physical aggression at the age of 6. In specific terms, the results showed that, in boys with high androstenedione levels, directive maternal behavior is associated with physical aggression. The results are subsequently discussed in light of postulates related to parenting characteristic of developmental psychology and we suggest a potential link of our results with the hypothesis of maternal dominance (AU)