Subscribe
The latest psychology and neuroscience discoveries.
My Account
  • Mental Health
  • Social Psychology
  • Cognitive Science
  • Psychopharmacology
  • Neuroscience
  • About
No Result
View All Result
PsyPost
PsyPost
No Result
View All Result
Home Exclusive Psychology of Religion

Higher levels of testosterone and DHEA predict weaker religious ties among older men

by Eric W. Dolan
June 3, 2018
in Psychology of Religion, Social Psychology
(Photo credit: Prazis Images)

(Photo credit: Prazis Images)

Share on TwitterShare on Facebook
Stay informed on the latest psychology and neuroscience research—follow PsyPost on LinkedIn for daily updates and insights.

Older men with higher levels of the sex hormones testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in their bodies tend to become less religious, according to a new study.

The findings, published recently in the journal Adaptive Human Behavior and Physiology, suggest that physiology can influence religiosity.

“Most of my research is on how social factors get ‘under the skin’ to influence human physiology — and the other way around,” said study author Aniruddha “Bobby” Das of McGill University.

“Religion seems to influence all kinds of physiological processes. There’s a lot of work these days on spirituality, church attendance — multiple dimensions of religiosity — as buffers against cardiovascular and metabolic problems. There’s a separate strand of research on how hormones and social factors cause each other. (Hormones are not just static ‘internal’ factors — they respond to our social lives.)”

“No nationally representative study had examined whether this applies to religious connections. I had the data, so I did.”

The study examined data from 1,071 older U.S. men who participated in the 2005–2006 and 2010–2011 waves of the National Social Life, Health and Aging Project (NSHAP). The participants were all over the age of 57.

Das found that men with higher levels of testosterone and DHEA at wave 1 reported weaker religious ties at the follow-up.

“Hormones seem to lead people to avoid contact with religion,” he remarked.

Participants with higher testosterone and DHEA attended religious services less often and were less likely to report having spoken with a religious figure about important matters.

Das controlled for the statistical effects of age, ethnicity, socio-economic status, hormone supplements, waist size, diagnosed conditions, and health. But he cautioned the study includes “many, many caveats.”

“Among them: these were observational data analyses. No causal inferences can be drawn. The sample was of older adults: nationally representative, but still. What happens at younger ages is unknown,” he explained.

“Apparently, some blogs are construing the findings as ‘testosterone makes people atheists.’ That’s nonsense,” Das added. “Sex hormones may be one factor, among many, that influence (not determine) religious activities.”

The study was titled: “Are Men’s Religious Ties Hormonally Regulated?“

TweetSendScanShareSendPinShareShareShareShareShare

RELATED

Scientists discover weak Dems have highest testosterone — but there’s an intriguing twist
Political Psychology

Scientists discover weak Dems have highest testosterone — but there’s an intriguing twist

July 10, 2025

What if the key to swaying a swing voter lies in their biology? New research found giving testosterone to weakly affiliated Democratic men made them less loyal to their party and more open to Republicans, revealing a potential hormonal link to political persuasion.

Read moreDetails
Bullshit is deemed more credible if attributed to a scientist, compared to a spiritual guru
Social Psychology

Scientists who relocate more often start Nobel research up to two years earlier

July 8, 2025

A new study of Nobel Prize winners suggests that scientists who change locations or work in multiple places tend to begin their groundbreaking research earlier, highlighting how exposure to diverse environments may help spark innovative, high-impact ideas.

Read moreDetails
The most popular dementia videos on TikTok tend to have the lowest quality, study find
Addiction

People with short-video addiction show altered brain responses during decision-making

July 8, 2025

People who frequently use short-video apps like TikTok may show reduced loss sensitivity and impulsive decision-making, according to a new neuroimaging study that links addictive use patterns to changes in brain activity during risky choices.

Read moreDetails
People with psychopathic traits fail to learn from painful outcomes
Narcissism

National narcissism linked to emotional impairments and dehumanization, new study finds

July 7, 2025

A new study suggests that people who see their nation as uniquely important often struggle with recognizing emotions and experience more anger and contempt—factors that may help explain why they’re more likely to dehumanize both outsiders and fellow citizens.

Read moreDetails
Anxious and avoidant attachment are elevated among individuals with eating disorders
Developmental Psychology

Personality may be a key factor connecting negative parenting experiences to adult challenges

July 7, 2025

New research finds a link between how adults recall being parented and their current life difficulties. These challenges may be partly explained by personality traits, such as lower conscientiousness, that are connected to early family environments and adult well-being.

Read moreDetails
Loneliness predicts an increase in TV viewing for older women, but not for men
Sexism

New study finds link between sexism and denial of male victimhood in relationships

July 6, 2025

New research shows that many people endorse myths that minimize abuse against men in relationships. These myths are closely tied to sexist attitudes about masculinity, gender roles, and who is believed to be a “real” victim of violence.

Read moreDetails
Fascinating study reveals how Trump’s moral rhetoric diverges from common Republican language
Donald Trump

Viral AI-images highlight how Trump engages in “victimcould,” scholar argues

July 6, 2025

How can one of the world's most powerful men also be its biggest victim? A new paper argues it’s a political strategy based on hypothetical, not actual, harm—a concept the author calls “victimcould” used to justify present-day aggression.

Read moreDetails
Stress disrupts gut and brain barriers by reducing key microbial metabolites, study finds
Narcissism

How to protect your mental health from a passive-aggressive narcissist

July 5, 2025

Passive aggression is more than just frustrating; it’s a weapon. When someone consistently uses backhanded compliments, sabotage, or the silent treatment, you may be dealing with a narcissist. Here’s how to spot the signs and protect your mental wellbeing.

Read moreDetails

SUBSCRIBE

Go Ad-Free! Click here to subscribe to PsyPost and support independent science journalism!

STAY CONNECTED

LATEST

Is humor inherited? Twin study suggests the ability to be funny may not run in the family

Scientists discover weak Dems have highest testosterone — but there’s an intriguing twist

Can sunshine make you happier? A massive study offers a surprising answer

New study links why people use pornography to day-to-day couple behavior

Virtual reality meditation eases caregiver anxiety during pediatric hospital stays, with stronger benefits for Spanish speakers

Fascinating new advances in psychedelic science reveal how they may heal the mind

Dysfunction within the sensory processing cortex of the brain is associated with insomnia, study finds

Prenatal exposure to “forever chemicals” linked to autistic traits in children, study finds

         
       
  • Contact us
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms and Conditions
[Do not sell my information]

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

Subscribe
  • My Account
  • Cognitive Science Research
  • Mental Health Research
  • Social Psychology Research
  • Drug Research
  • Relationship Research
  • About PsyPost
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy