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Testosterone; cortisol; and bullying perpetration in adolescents: The moderating role of peer victimization

delete2026-07-06
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OA
AI
E
Esther Calvete *
I
Izaskun Orue
N
Nerea Cortazar-Enciondo
M
Maite Larrucea
T
Todd D. Little
DOI:10.1017/S0954579426101503delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Research on the joint role of testosterone and cortisol in aggression has produced inconsistent results; with limited attention to adolescence; a stage characterized by considerable hormonal changes; and to the distinction between within-and between-person effects. This study examined whether peer victimization moderates testosterone–cortisol associations with bullying perpetration in adolescents. Assessed at three 3-month intervals; participants (471 adolescents; Mage = 14.97; SD = 0.70; 47.1% female) reported bullying perpetration and victimization and provided saliva samples for the analysis of hormones. Random-intercept cross-lagged panel models revealed a three-way interaction (testosterone × cortisol × victimization). Increases in testosterone predicted changes in bullying perpetration when cortisol decreased. These effects were moderated by victimization. When victimization was below average; testosterone increases predicted more bullying perpetration; when it was above average; testosterone increases predicted less perpetration. These findings highlight that peer victimization shapes how testosterone–cortisol interactions influence adolescent aggression; underscoring the interplay of biological and contextual factors in adolescent adaptation.
Keywords:
Aggression
bullying perpetration
cortisol
random-intercept cross-lagged panel models
testosterone
victimization

Journal

Development and Psychopathology cover
Development and Psychopathology
IF:
3.7
Papers:
3.2K
Citations:
1.3W

Organization

U
university of deusto
Scholars:
197
Papers: 100
Citations: 0
T
texas tech university and north-west university
Scholars:
2
Papers: 1
Citations: 0
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