Relación entre los factores interpersonales, niveles de cortisol y comportamientos agresivos en adolescentes adictos con antecedentes delictivos

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Published: Sep 9, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22201/fesi.20070780e.2025.17.1.86862

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Arely Hernández Rodríguez
Herlinda Aguilar Zavala
Ma. Gloria Calixto Olalde
Gerardo Alfonso Ortiz Rueda
Centro de Estudios e Investigaciones en Comportamiento-CUCBA, Universidad de Guadalajara

Abstract

Introduction: The WHO states that globally there are 200,000 homicides among young people aged 10-29 years, most homicides are male. Mexico ranks first in this category of behaviors, with a higher prevalence among adolescent males. There are few studies that relate hormonal factors with behavioral factors in this population. 


Objective: To evaluate the relationship between interpersonal factors, cortisol levels and aggressive behaviors in addicted adolescents with a criminal history. 


Methodology: 12 adolescents with a criminal history and 12 adolescents without a criminal history were recruited. Questionnaires on general data, reactive and proactive aggression, impulsivity, aggression, and a psychopathy interview were administered. Daytime saliva samples were taken for subsequent cortisol quantification by ELISA.


Results: Adolescents with a delinquent history presented significantly higher levels of reactive (t=3.29, p˂0.005) and proactive (t=6.72, p˂0.001) aggression; they also presented higher levels of general impulsivity (t=2.8, p˂0.03) and unplanned impulsivity (t=2.58, p˂0.02). This group of adolescents presented significantly high levels of physical aggression (t=6.55, p˂0.001), hostility (t=2.79, p˂0.02), anger (t=3.95, p˂0.002) and verbal aggressiveness (t=2.95, p˂0.008). Adolescents with delinquent background presented significantly high levels in interpersonal (t=4.44, p˂0.0001) and affective psychopathic traits (t=6.97, p˂0.0001), impulsivity, parasitic lifestyle and irresponsibility (t=4.95, p˂0. 0001), in antisocial behavior and lack of self-control (t=7.25, p˂0.0001); when classifying the level of psychopathy, adolescents with a criminal history present a medium level of psychopathy and those in the control group have low levels of psychopathy (t=8.33, p˂0.0001). Referring to cortisol levels, adolescents with delinquent history presented lower levels of cortisol in saliva at fifteen minutes after awakening (t=-2.53, p˂0.02) and at thirty minutes after awakening (t=-2.43, p˂0.03). Cortisol levels upon awakening were found to be inversely related to hostility (R=-0.499) and to reactive (R=-0.47) and proactive (R=-0.45) aggression. While cortisol levels before sleep also present an inverse correlation with the levels of reactive aggression (R=-0.47), proactive aggression (R=-0.57) and the hostility factor (R=-0.41).


Conclusion: Adolescents with a criminal history present higher level of aggression, impulsivity, greater interpersonal psychopathic traits, affective, parasitic behavior, and a considerable lack of control. With higher mean levels of psychopathy than the control group. Cortisol levels upon awakening and before sleeping are inversely proportional to the levels of hostility, reactive and proactive aggression.

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How to Cite
Hernández Rodríguez, A., Aguilar Zavala, H., Calixto Olalde, M. G., & Ortiz Rueda, G. A. (2025). Relación entre los factores interpersonales, niveles de cortisol y comportamientos agresivos en adolescentes adictos con antecedentes delictivos. Journal of Behavior, Health & Social Issues, 17(1), 46–53. https://doi.org/10.22201/fesi.20070780e.2025.17.1.86862

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Author Biography

Gerardo Alfonso Ortiz Rueda, Centro de Estudios e Investigaciones en Comportamiento-CUCBA, Universidad de Guadalajara

Interés en modulación lingüística del comportamiento humano (i.e. reglas, instrucciones, retroalimentación, correspondencia decir-hacer), aspectos relacionados con conductas preventivas y de riesgo, así como el estudio de factores ambientales que afectan el comportamiento de animales en condiciones de libertad y cautiverio.
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