Evaluation of the Relationship Between Aggression and Digit Ratio Through a Cross-Sectional Study Among Hitit University Students

IF 1.6 4区 医学 Q1 ANTHROPOLOGY
Fırat Koç
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objectives

The second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) is widely recognized as a biomarker of prenatal testosterone exposure and has been previously linked to aggression. This association demonstrates sex-specific variability and is further modulated by both biological and environmental influences. The present study aims to examine the relationship between 2D:4D and levels of aggression, including subtypes of aggression, among university students of Turkish ethnic origin residing in the Central Black Sea region of Turkey. Additionally, the study explores sex differences in these associations.

Method

This cross-sectional study included 203 undergraduate students (108 females, 95 males) from Hitit University. Participants not affiliated with the university were excluded. The 2D:4D were measured using a digital caliper, and aggression levels were assessed using the Buss–Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ). Statistical analyses comprised the Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis test, and Spearman correlation analysis.

Results

In females, significant yet weak negative correlations were found between the lengths of the right-hand 2D, right-hand 4D, and left-hand 4D and both physical and verbal aggression scores (p < 0.05; r = 0.20–0.39). A weak negative correlation was also observed between the right-hand 4D and the total BPAQ score (p = 0.024, r = −0.218). Furthermore, weak positive correlations were identified between the left-hand 2D:4D and both physical aggression and total aggression scores. Among males, weak but significant positive correlations were identified between the right-hand 2D length and the left-hand 2D:4D and anger subscale scores (p = 0.043, p = 0.009; r = 0.20–0.39). Similarly, weak positive correlations were observed between the right-hand 2D and 2D:4D and hostility subscale scores (p = 0.031; r = 0.20–0.39). Additionally, a weak negative correlation was found between the right-hand 4D and verbal aggression (p = 0.017, r = −0.244). Finally, a weak but significant positive correlation was detected between the right-hand 2D:4D and the total BPAQ score (p = 0.012, r = 0.28).

Conclusions

The findings indicate that digit ratio does not exhibit marked sexual dimorphism; however, the expression of aggressive behavior appears to differ by sex. In females, shorter digit lengths (2D and 4D) are negatively associated with specific subdimensions of aggression, whereas in males, higher 2D:4D is positively correlated with anger and hostility. Although these results diverge from trends commonly reported in the literature and reached statistical significance, the low correlation coefficients warrant cautious interpretation.

通过横断面研究评价攻击行为与手指比例的关系
第二和第四指的比例(2D:4D)被广泛认为是产前睾酮暴露的生物标志物,以前与攻击性有关。这种关联表明了性别特异性的可变性,并受到生物和环境影响的进一步调节。本研究旨在研究居住在土耳其黑海中部地区的土耳其裔大学生的2D:4D与侵略水平(包括侵略亚型)之间的关系。此外,该研究还探讨了这些关联的性别差异。方法采用横断面研究方法,对我校203名本科生(女108名,男95名)进行调查。与大学无关的参与者被排除在外。使用数字卡尺测量2D:4D,使用Buss-Perry攻击问卷(BPAQ)评估攻击水平。统计分析包括Mann-Whitney U检验、Kruskal-Wallis检验和Spearman相关分析。结果在女性中,右手2D、右手4D和左手4D长度与肢体攻击和言语攻击得分呈显著而微弱的负相关(p < 0.05;r = 0.20-0.39)。右侧4D与BPAQ总分呈弱负相关(p = 0.024, r = - 0.218)。此外,左手2D:4D与身体攻击和总攻击得分之间存在弱正相关。在男性中,右手2D长度与左手2D:4D和愤怒分量表得分之间存在微弱但显著的正相关(p = 0.043, p = 0.009;r = 0.20-0.39)。同样,在右手2D和2D:4D与敌意分量表得分之间观察到微弱的正相关(p = 0.031;r = 0.20-0.39)。此外,右手4D与言语攻击呈弱负相关(p = 0.017, r = - 0.244)。最后,右手2D:4D与总BPAQ评分呈微弱但显著的正相关(p = 0.012, r = 0.28)。结论手指比例不存在明显的性别二态性;然而,攻击性行为的表达似乎因性别而异。在女性中,较短的手指长度(2D和4D)与攻击的特定子维度呈负相关,而在男性中,较高的2D:4D与愤怒和敌意呈正相关。虽然这些结果与文献中普遍报道的趋势不同,并达到了统计显著性,但低相关系数值得谨慎解释。
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来源期刊
CiteScore
4.80
自引率
13.80%
发文量
124
审稿时长
4-8 weeks
期刊介绍: The American Journal of Human Biology is the Official Journal of the Human Biology Association. The American Journal of Human Biology is a bimonthly, peer-reviewed, internationally circulated journal that publishes reports of original research, theoretical articles and timely reviews, and brief communications in the interdisciplinary field of human biology. As the official journal of the Human Biology Association, the Journal also publishes abstracts of research presented at its annual scientific meeting and book reviews relevant to the field. The Journal seeks scholarly manuscripts that address all aspects of human biology, health, and disease, particularly those that stress comparative, developmental, ecological, or evolutionary perspectives. The transdisciplinary areas covered in the Journal include, but are not limited to, epidemiology, genetic variation, population biology and demography, physiology, anatomy, nutrition, growth and aging, physical performance, physical activity and fitness, ecology, and evolution, along with their interactions. The Journal publishes basic, applied, and methodologically oriented research from all areas, including measurement, analytical techniques and strategies, and computer applications in human biology. Like many other biologically oriented disciplines, the field of human biology has undergone considerable growth and diversification in recent years, and the expansion of the aims and scope of the Journal is a reflection of this growth and membership diversification. The Journal is committed to prompt review, and priority publication is given to manuscripts with novel or timely findings, and to manuscripts of unusual interest.
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