Changes in Saliva Testosterone Levels During a 90-Day Shock Incarceration Program

• NCJ Number: 123966
• Journal: Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 17 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1990) Pages: 246-252
• Author(s): W M Thompson; J M Dabbs Jr; R L Frady
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 7 pages
• Grant Number(s): MH42525
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health and Human Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Saliva testosterone levels were measured upon admission and at four-week intervals among inmates in a 90-day shock incarceration program, modeled after military boot camp.

Abstract

Testosterone was highest on the day of admission, dropped to a low four weeks later, and rose thereafter. There were significant differences among individuals in both mean scores and changes over time. Inmates showing the most improvement dropped less in testosterone early in the program and increased more later in the program. The results extend earlier findings that testosterone concentrations decline under conditions of stress and loss of social status. 1 figure, 14 references. (Publisher abstract)