Sex steroids and personality traits in the middle luteal phase of healthy normally menstruating young professional women

.10, F(1,57)=6.23, p=0.016). We were unable to find any association between the circulating androgens and scores on the masculinity-femininity scale (Mf). We were also unable to document any association between the weak adrenal androgens DHEA and DHEA-S and depression in contrast to several published reports. (c) Our data suggest a marginally significant association between progesterone and scores on the 7-Pt (obsessive/compulsive/psychasthenia) scale (r=0.27, p<0.05). However, only 7% of the 7-Pt variance was explained by progesterone (r 2 =0.071, F(1,50)=3.81, p=0.057). cONcluSIONS: We have found that total testosterone was associated with the paranoia score, the metabolic product of activated androgens, 3alpha-diolG, to social introversion and, finally, progesterone to obsessive-compulsive behavior

The young male hypothesis of risk-taking behavior

The young male syndrome postulates that young men demonstrate excessive risk-taking behavior. Initially, archival studies analyzing homicide data confirmed this phenomenon, yet few experimental or cross-sectional studies have offered additional support. The current research systematically tested the young male hypothesis in five studies. The hypothesis proposes that the general tendency for men to be more prone to risk than women is stronger among younger than older adults. Looked at from a different angle, the hypothesis proposes that the general tendency for risk propensity to decline with age is stronger among men than women. Study 1 assessed general risk propensity among members of the Dutch general public. Results did not support the young male hypothesis. Study 2 assessed both general and domain-specific risk propensity, again among Dutch respondents. Results pertaining to risk propensity in the occupational and leisure/sports domains contradicted the young male hypothesis. Study 3 refined the measurement of domain-specific risk propensity. Results neither replicated the contradictory findings of Study 2 nor offered support for the young male hypothesis. Yet, a suggestive pattern emerged in the financial domain, which was consistent with the hypothesis: the tendency for men (compared to women) to be more inclined toward financial risk was stronger among younger than older adults. Study 4 implemented further methodological improvements to hone in on the young male hypothesis. Results revealed strong support for the hypothesis in the financial and recreational risk domains. Considering the inherent limitations of the self-report measures used in Studies 1-4, Study 5 assessed financial risk propensity via choice scenarios, with outcomes phrased either as gains or losses. Results again supported the hypothesis, but only when financial outcomes were framed as gains. Whereas individuals are generally risk averse in the gain domain, young men bucked this trend in an attempt to maximize financial outcomes. Evolutionary perspectives consider this behavior as a high risk-high reward strategy

Can the Factor Structure of Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ-40) Contribute to Our Understanding of Parental Acceptance/Rejection, Bullying, Victimization and Perceived Well-Being in Greek Early Adolescents?

Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ) is a self-report instrument designed to measure defense mechanisms. Although commonly used, the DSQ-40 has not been validated in early adolescent populations. The present study sought to determine the factor validity of the DSQ-40 in a sample of Greek primary school students (N = 265). Further, it aimed to investigate the relationship between defense mechanisms and perceived parental acceptance/rejection, the participation in bullying (either as bully or victim) as well as self-reported well being. Participants completed the Greek version of DSQ-40, adapted for use by this particular age group as well as measures in order to examine its convergent and discriminant validity. The findings support a four-factor solution as the most adequate for our data. Further, it was found that defense mechanisms are related to perceived parental acceptance and rejection. Finally, the results showed that the DSQ-40 can effectively discriminate participants with high/low bullying/victimization and perceived well-being. Our results indicate that the DSQ-40 is appropriate for use in late childhood. Implications for clinical practice and future studies that would confirm the appropriateness of the scale’s use in younger populations are also discussed