Network Connections and Salivary Testosterone Among Older U.S. Women: Social Modulation or Hormonal Causation?

Abstract

This study examined potentially bidirectional connections of older U.S. women's salivary testosterone with their social network connections. Data were from the 2005-2006 and 2010-2011 waves of the National Social Life, Health and Aging Project (NSHAP), a national probability sample of older U.S. adults. Autoregressive cross-lagged panel models tested linkages of women's testosterone with their social networks. Consistent with recent biological theory suggesting social modulation of hormones, a higher kin proportion in one's egocentric (person-centered) network, arguably a stable compositional feature, negatively predicted women's testosterone levels. In contrast, findings for tie strength were consistent with hormonal regulation of women's sociality-with both perceived support from friends and family, and closeness to network members, negatively influenced by testosterone. Rather than being a static and exogenous biological factor, older women's testosterone levels seem partly an outcome of their social context. Implications for sexual health and hormone therapy are discussed. However, this androgen also influences dimensions of their intimate networks critical to successful aging. Findings suggest the need for social scientists to engage with the neuroendocrine literature, which offers suggestions on linkages of hormones with specific network patterns.