New Test Helps Predict Aggression in Boys

A new, simple saliva test could help predict violent behavior among boys, say scientists.

The pilot study, led by Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center suggests a link between salivary concentrations of certain hormones and aggression.

Alarming Ascent of Aggressive Adolescents
Teen violence is recurring at an alarming pace worldwide. India too is becoming a victim to such a disturbing trend. Psychiatrists counsel sufficient family and community support.

Researchers, led by Drew Barzman, MD, a child and adolescent forensic psychiatrist at Cincinnati Children's, collected saliva samples from 17 boys ages 7-9 admitted to the hospital for psychiatric care to identify which children were most likely to show aggression and violence.

The samples, collected three times in one day shortly after admission, were tested for levels of three hormones - testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and cortisol.

The severity and frequency of aggression correlated with the levels of these hormones.

Long Hours Do Not Cause Aggression and Disobedience in Children
According to a new study, spending many hours in centre-based child care does not lead to more aggression and disobedience in children.

Barzman's team focused on rapid, real-time assessment of violence among child and adolescent inpatients, a common problem in psychiatric units.

But he believes a fast and accurate saliva test could eventually have several other applications.

Violent Video Games Increase Aggression in Kids
Not all video games are bad after a new study found that playing violent video games tend to increase aggression levels in children.

"We believe salivary hormone testing has the potential to help doctors monitor which treatments are working best for their patients," Barzman said.

"And because mental health professionals are far more likely to be assaulted on the job than the average worker, it could offer a quick way to anticipate violent behavior in child psychiatric units. Eventually, we hope this testing might also provide a tool to help improve safety in schools," he added.

Sporting Aggression More Common Between Opponents of Similar Ability: Study
According to a new study, competitive team sports like football or basketball are more likely to turn aggressive when the teams are evenly matched in comparison to contests between two unequal teams.

The study is published online in the journal Psychiatric Quarterly.

Source-ANI