Citation

Romero-Martínez A, González-Bono E, Lila M, Moya-Albiol L. Soc. Neurosci. 2013; 8(3): 240-247.

Affiliation

Psychobiology Department , University of Valencia , Valencia , Spain.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/17470919.2013.772072

PMID

23428161

Abstract

Testosterone to cortisol (T/C) ratios could be associated with feelings and expression of anger as high testosterone and low cortisol levels indicate a predisposition to violence. The basal T/C ratio has recently been proposed as a marker for proneness to social aggression; so far, however, only its value as an indicator of state anger or violence has been investigated. Given this, we aimed to establish whether the T/C ratio response to acute stress was a specific psychobiological feature in individuals with a history of violence, namely, perpetrators of intimate partner violence (IPV). T/C ratio and anger responses were compared in men jailed for IPV and controls using the Trier Social Stress Test. IPV perpetrators had higher T/C ratios than controls, during the preparation period, and 15 and 30 minutes post-task. In IPV perpetrators, high T/C ratios were linked to better self-esteem and good mental health. An increase in anger may increase proneness to violence by altering hormones and, thereby, increasing T/C ratios. The basal T/C ratio together with acute stress responses and other indicators could serve as a marker to identify men at high risk of reacting violently to their partners.

Language: en