Do Sex Offenders Have Higher Levels of Testosterone?

The purpose of the current study is to review the available scientific evidence on the relationship between testosterone and sexual aggression.


A systematic search for all primary studies comparing basal testosterone levels in sex offenders and non-sex offenders was undertaken across 20 electronic databases using an explicit search strategy and inclusion/exclusion criteria.


A total of seven studies were identified and 11 effect sizes were computed; effects were pooled using both fixed and random effects meta-analysis models.


Although individual study findings present a mix of results wherein sex offenders have higher or lower baseline levels of testosterone than non-sex offenders, pooled results indicate no overall difference between groups.


Moderators of the analyses suggest possibly lower rates of testosterone in child molesters than controls; however, results are dependent on study weighting.


Limitations, policy implications with respect to chemical castration laws, and future directions for research are discussed.


Wong JS, Gravel J. Do Sex Offenders Have Higher Levels of Testosterone? Results From a Meta-Analysis. Sex Abuse. http://sax.sagepub.com/content/early/2016/03/18/1079063216637857.abstract