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Testosterone and religiosity as predictors of sexual attitudes and activity among adolescent males: a biosocial model

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 July 2008

Carolyn Tucker Halpern ,
J. Richard Udry ,
Benjamin Campbell ,
Chirayath Suchindran  and
George A. Mason
Carolyn Tucker Halpern
Affiliation:
Carolina Population CenterUniversity of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
J. Richard Udry
Affiliation:
Carolina Population CenterUniversity of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
Benjamin Campbell
Affiliation:
Carolina Population CenterUniversity of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
Chirayath Suchindran
Affiliation:
Carolina Population CenterUniversity of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
George A. Mason
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
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Summary

A biosocial model of the effects of early adolescent testosterone levels and religiosity on adolescent males' sexual attitudes and activity over a 3-year period was examined. Using panel data for approximately 100 boys who were 12·5/13·0 years old at study entry, significant additive effects of free testosterone and frequency of attendance at religious services were demonstrated on the transition to first intercourse and other aspects of sexual behaviour and attitudes. No interactive effects of the two predictors were found. Boys with higher free testosterone levels at study entry who never or infrequently attended religious services were the most sexually active and had the most permissive attitudes. Boys with lower free testosterone who attended services once a week or more were the least active and reported the least permissive attitudes. For some behaviours, differences between free testosterone/attendance groups increased over time, resulting in substantial behavioural differences by the final round of measurement 3 years later.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Biosocial Science , Volume 26 , Issue 2 , April 1994 , pp. 217 - 234
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1994

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