ESTROGEN OR TESTOSTERONE INCREASES SELF-REPORTED AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIORSIN HYPOGONADAL ADOLESCENTS

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