Low glucose relates to greater aggression in married couples.
Level 3 - non-randomized controlled study
Prospective longitudinal observational study tracking couples over 21 days with laboratory follow-up.
PubMed 24733932 · doi:10.1073/pnas.1400619111
What was done
In a 21-day prospective study of 107 married couples, researchers tracked daily blood glucose levels. To assess daily aggressive impulses, participants were instructed each evening to stick between 0 and 51 pins into a voodoo doll representing their spouse. Direct aggressive behavior was evaluated using a 25-trial competitive task against their spouse, where the winner could blast the partner with loud noise through headphones at self-selected intensity and duration.
What was found
Lower blood glucose levels were associated with sticking a greater number of pins into the voodoo doll, as well as delivering louder and longer noise blasts to spouses during the competitive task. The abstract reports directional associations but does not provide exact numerical effect sizes, correlation coefficients, or p-values.
Why it matters
The study links basic physiological energy availability (glucose) to self-control and interpersonal aggression in romantic relationships, suggesting metabolic factors may influence emotional regulation and intimate partner conflict.
Limits
The abstract does not report specific quantitative metrics, confidence intervals, or demographic details of the sample. Laboratory tasks (voodoo doll pin insertion and noise blasts) serve as proxies for aggressive impulses and behavior rather than direct measures of real-world intimate partner violence. As an observational study, it establishes correlation rather than direct causation between blood glucose fluctuations and domestic aggression.
Cited by
- supports In a study of married couples using voodoo dolls, participants with the lowest glucose levels placed the most pins in the voodoo doll representing their spouse.