The relationship among and hormones and affective mood disorders in men and women
Disciplines
Biological Psychology
Abstract (300 words maximum)
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is responsible for the stress response and the release of cortisol. The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis is responsible for the release of sex-linked hormones including testosterone and estrogen. The HPA and the HPG axes have a reciprocal relationship with each causing changes in the other. Both the HPA and HPG axes have been linked to affective disorders such as depression and anxiety (Domonkos et al., 2018; Kische et al., 2023). This study will look at the relationship among testosterone, cortisol, and mood disorders in men and women. College students enrolled at a large southeastern university participated. Upon arrival to the testing room, each participant gave a saliva sample and completed a set of questionnaires including a demographics form, the depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS-21; Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995) and the Spielberger Trait and State anxiety scale (STAI; Spielberger, 1989). Saliva samples will be assayed for hormones using enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Preliminary results reveal a marginally significant interaction between sex of participant and cortisol level (hi, lo) regarding trait anxiety showing that men with low cortisol levels have much lower trait anxiety than the other groups, F(1, 157) = 3.13, p = .08. Additional results will investigate the hormonal influences that contribute to affective mood disorders in the normal population.
Domonkos, E., Hodosy, J., Ostatnikova, D., & Celec, P. (2018). On the Role of Testosterone in Anxiety-Like Behavior Across Life in Experimental Rodents. Fronteirs in Endocrinology, 9, 441. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00441
Spielberger, C. D. (1989). State-Trait Anxiety Inventory: Bibliography (2nd ed.). Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press.
Lovibond, S.H. & Lovibond, P.F. (1995). Manual for the Depression Anxiety & Stress Scales. (2nd Ed.)Sydney: Psychology Foundation.
Kische, H., Voss, C., Haring, R., Ollmann, T., Lars, P., Kirshbaum, C., Beesdo-Baum, K. (2023). Hair androgen concentrations and depressive disorders in adolescents from the general population. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 8(32), 1375-1389.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
RCHSS - Psychological Science
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Sharon Pearcey
Additional Faculty
dwagne18@kennesaw.edu
eglove12@kennesaw.edu
The relationship among and hormones and affective mood disorders in men and women
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is responsible for the stress response and the release of cortisol. The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis is responsible for the release of sex-linked hormones including testosterone and estrogen. The HPA and the HPG axes have a reciprocal relationship with each causing changes in the other. Both the HPA and HPG axes have been linked to affective disorders such as depression and anxiety (Domonkos et al., 2018; Kische et al., 2023). This study will look at the relationship among testosterone, cortisol, and mood disorders in men and women. College students enrolled at a large southeastern university participated. Upon arrival to the testing room, each participant gave a saliva sample and completed a set of questionnaires including a demographics form, the depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS-21; Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995) and the Spielberger Trait and State anxiety scale (STAI; Spielberger, 1989). Saliva samples will be assayed for hormones using enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Preliminary results reveal a marginally significant interaction between sex of participant and cortisol level (hi, lo) regarding trait anxiety showing that men with low cortisol levels have much lower trait anxiety than the other groups, F(1, 157) = 3.13, p = .08. Additional results will investigate the hormonal influences that contribute to affective mood disorders in the normal population.
Domonkos, E., Hodosy, J., Ostatnikova, D., & Celec, P. (2018). On the Role of Testosterone in Anxiety-Like Behavior Across Life in Experimental Rodents. Fronteirs in Endocrinology, 9, 441. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00441
Spielberger, C. D. (1989). State-Trait Anxiety Inventory: Bibliography (2nd ed.). Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press.
Lovibond, S.H. & Lovibond, P.F. (1995). Manual for the Depression Anxiety & Stress Scales. (2nd Ed.)Sydney: Psychology Foundation.
Kische, H., Voss, C., Haring, R., Ollmann, T., Lars, P., Kirshbaum, C., Beesdo-Baum, K. (2023). Hair androgen concentrations and depressive disorders in adolescents from the general population. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 8(32), 1375-1389.