Positive Affect Moderates the Relationship Between Salivary Testosterone and a Health Behavior Composite in University F
- PDF / 418,488 Bytes
- 11 Pages / 595.276 x 790.866 pts Page_size
- 38 Downloads / 220 Views
SPECIAL ISSUE: SALIVARY BIOSCIENCE
Positive Affect Moderates the Relationship Between Salivary Testosterone and a Health Behavior Composite in University Females Luci A. Martin 1 & Mariam Ter-Petrosyan 1
# The Author(s) 2019
Abstract Background Testosterone is released in both men and women and plays an important role in social functioning and motivation. Greater testosterone in women has been associated with negative physical health outcomes, while lower testosterone has been associated with psychological disorders. The following cross-sectional study examined the contribution of salivary testosterone, positive and negative affect, and demographic variables in predicting a composite health behavior score (cigarette use, hours of sleep, fruit/vegetable intake, following an exercise routine). Method The sample (mean age 21.17, SD = 6.13) consisted of 87 female university students asked to complete a demographic and lifestyle behavior questionnaire, the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, and provide a saliva sample. Participants selfidentified as Latina (37.9%), European American (32.2%), Asian American (5.7%), African American (4.6%), or Mixed/other (19.5%). Hierarchical regression analyses were used to examine whether positive and negative affect served as a moderator between salivary testosterone and a health behavior composite. Results Results indicated that positive affect moderated the relationship between salivary testosterone and the composite health behavior score (t = − 2.42, p = .018, Adj. R2 = .21, F (5, 81) = 5.07, p < .001) such that the healthiest behaviors were observed in participants with high positive affect and low salivary testosterone. Findings remained after adjusting for oral contraceptive use, income level, relationship status, and ethnicity. Conclusions These results provide a preliminary foundation for future research examining the interplay of neuroendocrine function, psychological factors (i.e., positive affect), and behavior. Further empirical studies can focus on expanding this research in larger, representative samples. Keywords Positive affect . Negative affect . Salivary testosterone . Health behavior
Introduction Testosterone is a hormone released as the end product of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis [1]. Testosterone operates under a diurnal cycle such that greater quantities are released upon awakening and decline throughout the day [2]. In men, testosterone is produced in the testes, while in women, it is produced by the adrenal cortex and ovaries [1]. Testosterone plays a key role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fat [3]. Altered levels of testosterone have been consistently reported in patients with a number of life* Luci A. Martin [email protected] 1
Psychology Department, University of La Verne, 1950 3rd Street, La Verne, CA 91750, USA
threatening diseases. For example, reduced levels of testosterone are found in men with obesity and/or type 2 diabetes [3], while elevated levels of testosterone are associated with an increased risk of brea
Data Loading...
