1
|
Goering M, Albright MG, Mrug S. The Effects of Pubertal Timing on Academic Performance in Adolescence and Career Success in Adulthood: Evidence from a 16-year Longitudinal Study. J Youth Adolesc 2023:10.1007/s10964-023-01814-6. [PMID: 37365304 DOI: 10.1007/s10964-023-01814-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Previous research showed inconsistent effects of pubertal timing on adolescent academic performance and adult career success. Moreover, the relative importance of biological vs. perceived pubertal timing has not been examined. This study examined effects of biological and perceived pubertal timing on academic performance throughout adolescence and career success in adulthood together with sex differences in an understudied population of pre-dominantly Black youth from lower income families. The sample included 704 youth (52% male, 76% Black, 22% White) interviewed at four time points (Mean ages: 11.8, 13.2, 17.6, and 27.7 years). The results from a mediation path model showed that among males, perceived off-time pubertal timing uniquely predicted lower concurrent academic performance as well as lower objective career success in adulthood; this effect was mediated by lower academic performance throughout adolescence. Additionally, results from bivariate correlation analyses showed associations between early biological pubertal timing and lower concurrent academic performance in males and early perceived pubertal timing and lower concurrent academic performance among females. These findings contribute to the understanding of more nuanced links between pubertal timing, academic performance and subsequent career success in an understudied population of pre-dominantly Black youth from lower income families.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marlon Goering
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
| | | | - Sylvie Mrug
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Vijayakumar N, Whittle S. A systematic review into the role of pubertal timing and the social environment in adolescent mental health problems. Clin Psychol Rev 2023; 102:102282. [PMID: 37094393 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2023.102282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nandita Vijayakumar
- Deakin University, Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Geelong, Australia; Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Sarah Whittle
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Schelleman-Offermans K, Vieno A, Stevens GWJM, Kuntsche E. Family affluence as a protective or risk factor for adolescent drunkenness in different countries and the role drinking motives play. Soc Sci Med 2022; 311:115302. [PMID: 36113211 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Previous research has shown mixed results (positive, negative or no effects) regarding socio-economic disparities in adolescent drunkenness. This study investigates whether family affluence is differently associated with frequency of adolescent drunkenness in traditional countries, at a later diffusion of innovation adopter stage according to the Theory of Diffusions of Innovations by Rogers (2003), compared with more progressive countries at a more advanced stage. Furthermore, we investigated as to whether differences in this association can be explained by differences in adolescent drinking motives. METHODS This study used data from the 2009/2010 survey of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, including 25,566 alcohol-using adolescents aged 11-19 years old from 11 European countries. The Global Innovativeness Index was used to classify countries in progressive or more traditional countries. Multi-level regression analyses and structural equation modelling were conducted. FINDINGS In traditional countries, family affluence showed a positive association with adolescent frequency of drunkenness. A higher endorsement of social (drinking to celebrate an event) and enhancement motives (drinking to increase moods) by adolescents with a higher family affluence mediated this positive association between family affluence and frequency of drunkenness. In progressive countries, family affluence was negatively associated with frequency of drunkenness. In these countries, a higher endorsement of coping drinking motives by adolescents with a lower family affluence mediated this association. CONCLUSION A country's diffusion of innovation stage (i.e., traditional vs. progressive) seems to shape the direction of the association between family affluence and adolescent drunkenness including the psychological pathways that explain these socio-economic inequalities. This is most likely due to a quicker and smoother adoption of the new 'low drunkenness norms' ('it is not cool to drink to get drunk') in progressive countries and among adolescents with a higher family affluence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karen Schelleman-Offermans
- Department of Work and Social Psychology, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200, MD, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | - Alessio Vieno
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, Via Venezia 8, 35131, Padova, Italy.
| | - Gonneke W J M Stevens
- Department of Interdisciplinary Social Science, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Utrecht University, Padualaan 14, 3584 CH, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Emmanuel Kuntsche
- Centre for Alcohol Policy Research (CAPR), La Trobe University, 360 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Aiken A, Chan G, Yuen WS, Clare PJ, Hutchinson D, McBride N, Najman JM, McCambridge J, Upton E, Slade T, Boland VC, De Torres C, Bruno R, Kypri K, Wadolowski M, Mattick RP, Peacock A. Trajectories of parental and peer supply of alcohol in adolescence and associations with later alcohol consumption and harms: A prospective cohort study. Drug Alcohol Depend 2022; 237:109533. [PMID: 35752023 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Supply of alcohol to adolescents is associated with increased alcohol consumption and harms including alcohol use disorder (AUD). We aimed to identify: (1) trajectories of alcohol supply to adolescents; (2) sociodemographic characteristics associated with supply trajectory; (3) patterns of alcohol consumption by supply trajectory; and (4) supply trajectory associations with adverse alcohol outcomes. METHODS We used Australian longitudinal survey data (N = 1813) to model latent trajectories of parent and peer alcohol supply over five annual follow-ups (Waves 2-6; Mage 13.9-17.8 years). Regression models assessed associations between supply trajectories and Wave 1 (Mage=12.9 years) sociodemographic factors and associations between supply trajectories and Wave 7 (Mage=18.8 years) alcohol outcomes. RESULTS We identified five alcohol supply classes: (1) minimal supply (n = 739, 40.8%); (2) early parent sips, late peer/parent whole drinks (n = 254, 14.0%); (3) late peer/parent whole drinks (n = 419, 23.1%); (4) early parent sips, mid peer/parent whole drinks (n = 293, 16.2%); (5) early peer/parent whole drinks (n = 108, 6.0%). Compared to minimal supply, the other classes were 2.7-12.9 times as likely to binge drink, 1.6-3.0 times as likely to experience alcohol-related harms, and 2.1-8.6 times as likely to report AUD symptoms at age 19. CONCLUSION Earlier supply of whole drinks, particularly from peers, was associated with increased risk of early adulthood adverse alcohol outcomes. While minimal supply represented the lowest risk, supplying sips only in early-mid adolescence and delaying supply of whole drinks until late adolescence is likely to be less risky than earlier supply of whole drinks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Aiken
- National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Gary Chan
- National Centre For Youth Substance Use Research, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia
| | - Wing See Yuen
- National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Philip J Clare
- National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; Prevention Research Collaboration, The Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Delyse Hutchinson
- National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Nyanda McBride
- National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6845, Australia
| | - Jackob M Najman
- Queensland Alcohol and Drug Research and Education Centre, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Jim McCambridge
- Department of Health Sciences, Seebohm Rowntree Building, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
| | - Emily Upton
- National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Tim Slade
- Sydney Medical School / The Matilda Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Veronica C Boland
- National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Clara De Torres
- National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Raimondo Bruno
- National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; School of Psychology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
| | - Kypros Kypri
- Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Monika Wadolowski
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Richard P Mattick
- National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Amy Peacock
- National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; School of Psychology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Bucci R, Staff J, Maggs JL, Dorn LD. Pubertal Timing and Adolescent Alcohol Use: The Mediating Role of Parental and Peer Influences. Child Dev 2021; 92:e1017-e1037. [PMID: 33908028 DOI: 10.1111/cdev.13569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Using intergenerational, prospective data at ages 9 months, 7, 11, and 14 years from the nationally representative United Kingdom Millennium Cohort Study, this interdisciplinary study unpacks why 14-year-old adolescents with early perceived pubertal timing (PT) were more likely to drink alcohol (ever, frequent, and binge drinking) compared to those whose PT was on-time or late (5,757 girls, 5,799 boys; 80% White, 10% Asian, 3% Black, and 7% Other British). Parents allowed drinking among 22% (18%) of early PT girls (boys) compared to 11% of late PT adolescents; formal mediation models showed differences by PT in parent permissiveness and gains in alcohol-using friends primarily explained age 14 PT-drinking associations. Parental alcohol permissiveness should be a key prevention target for early PT adolescents.
Collapse
|
6
|
Muñoz Centifanti LC, Boydston L, Wee C, Demetriou V, MacLellan S, Anastassiou-Hadjicharalambous X. Pubertal timing and callous-unemotional traits in girls: Associations across two samples from the UK and Cyprus. J Adolesc 2018; 69:52-61. [PMID: 30248585 DOI: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2018.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Revised: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 08/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Girls remain an understudied group when examining delinquency. Callous-unemotional traits are chief among personality traits that relate to delinquency. Some suggest, however, that girls who evince callous-unemotional traits delay their delinquent behavior until adolescence. This transitional period encompasses physical factors that relate to engagement in risky decision making, but we don't know how these factors relate to callous-unemotional traits. Early pubertal timing shows positive associations with delinquency; we tested if this was also the case for callous-unemotional traits. METHODS We tested associations among pubertal timing (i.e., maturity and menarche age), delinquency, and callous-unemotional traits within girls (ages 11-18 years) sampled from two European countries (UK and Cyprus). We also tested the interaction between callous-unemotional traits and pubertal timing in statistically predicting delinquency to test if associations between early puberty and delinquency were moderated by callous-unemotional traits. RESULTS Greater callous-unemotional traits were surprisingly negatively related to early pubertal timing. Those girls in the delayed menarche group had the highest level of callous-unemotional traits, higher than the typical and early menarche groups. Only callous-unemotional traits statistically predicted variance in delinquency and no moderation was evident. CONCLUSIONS The implications are that callous-unemotional traits and the transition to puberty may be particularly important for girls' adjustment in adolescence, particularly if menarche is delayed allowing girls to avoid punishment by capitalizing on their immaturity.
Collapse
|
7
|
Pinquart M, Pfeiffer JP, Becker K. Perceived Attainment of Developmental Tasks in Adolescents With and Without Mental Disorders. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR ENTWICKLUNGSPSYCHOLOGIE UND PADAGOGISCHE PSYCHOLOGIE 2018. [DOI: 10.1026/0049-8637/a000190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Abstract. The present study compared the perceived attainment of developmental tasks of 220 adolescents diagnosed with anxiety disorder, attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, or depression with a matched sample of 220 peers without a mental illness. The clinical sample perceived lower success with solving personal, social, and socio-institutional developmental tasks compared with their healthy peers. Comparisons across diagnoses identified the largest differences between students with internalizing disorders (anxiety, depression) versus other disorders. We conclude that psychological interventions with adolescents with mental disorders should promote their attainment of age-typical developmental goals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Pinquart
- Universität Marburg, Fachbereich Psychologie, AG Kinder- und Jugendpsychologie
| | - Jens P. Pfeiffer
- Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie, Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie, Fachbereich Medizin
| | - Katja Becker
- Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie, Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie, Fachbereich Medizin
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Adolescent and Parental Contributions to Parent-Adolescent Hostility Across Early Adolescence. J Youth Adolesc 2015; 45:713-29. [PMID: 26346035 DOI: 10.1007/s10964-015-0348-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2015] [Accepted: 08/31/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Early adolescence is characterized by increases in parent-adolescent hostility, yet little is known about what predicts these changes. Utilizing a fairly large sample (N = 416, 51 % girls, 91 % European American), this study examined the conjoint and unique influences of adolescent social anxiety symptoms and parental intrusiveness on changes in parent-adolescent hostility across early adolescence. Higher mother and father intrusiveness were associated with increased mother- and father-adolescent hostility. An examination of reciprocal effects revealed that mother- and father-adolescent hostility predicted increased mother and father intrusiveness. Significant associations were not substantiated for adolescent social anxiety symptoms. These findings suggest that intrusive parenting has important implications for subsequent parent-adolescent interactions and that similar patterns may characterize some aspects of mother- and father-adolescent relationships.
Collapse
|
9
|
Gainsbury SM, Blankers M, Wilkinson C, Schelleman-Offermans K, Cousijn J. Recommendations for international gambling harm-minimisation guidelines: comparison with effective public health policy. J Gambl Stud 2015; 30:771-88. [PMID: 23748884 DOI: 10.1007/s10899-013-9389-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Problem gambling represents a significant public health problem, however, research on effective gambling harm-minimisation measures lags behind other fields, including other addictive disorders. In recognition of the need for consistency between international jurisdictions and the importance of basing policy on empirical evidence, international conventions exist for policy on alcohol, tobacco, and illegal substances. This paper examines the evidence of best practice policies to provide recommendations for international guidelines for harm-minimisation policy for gambling, including specific consideration of the specific requirements for policies on Internet gambling. Evidence indicates that many of the public health policies implemented for addictive substances can be adapted to address gambling-related harms. Specifically, a minimum legal age of at least 18 for gambling participation, licensing of gambling venues and activities with responsible gambling and consumer protection strategies mandated, and brief interventions should be available for those at-risk for and experiencing gambling-related problems. However, there is mixed evidence on the effectiveness of limits on opening hours and gambling venue density and increased taxation to minimise harms. Given increases in trade globalisation and particularly the global nature of Internet gambling, it is recommended that jurisdictions take actions to harmonise gambling public health policies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sally M Gainsbury
- Centre for Gambling Education and Research, Southern Cross University, P.O. Box 157, Lismore, NSW, 2480, Australia,
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Verhoef M, van den Eijnden RJJM, Koning IM, Vollebergh WAM. Age at menarche and adolescent alcohol use. J Youth Adolesc 2013; 43:1333-45. [PMID: 24327296 DOI: 10.1007/s10964-013-0075-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2013] [Accepted: 12/02/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Research has shown that early maturation is related to problematic alcohol use, yet the differential effect of early pubertal timing (i.e., younger age at menarche) on the onset of alcohol use and subsequent level of alcohol use has rarely been examined. This distinction is relevant, as younger age at menarche can have differential effects on these outcomes, which in turn can have long-lasting effects. Therefore, the present study examined the relationship between age at menarche and adolescent alcohol use among girls, hereby distinguishing between onset and level of alcohol use. In addition, the moderating effects of alcohol-specific rules, child disclosure and class gender composition were examined. Participants were 430 girls from a Dutch four-wave survey, with a mean age of 12.17 years (SD = 0.50) at the beginning of the study. Results showed that the probability of onset of alcohol use was increased by younger age at menarche, but only when girls were younger than 15. Moderation analyses showed that younger age at menarche increased the risk of alcohol onset only in low risk girls (with high levels of alcohol-specific rules and in classes with a high percentage of girls). Once adolescent girls started drinking alcohol, younger age at menarche was associated positively with alcohol consumption only for girls in classes with a moderate to high percentage of girls. These findings confirm that younger age at menarche is a risk factor for the onset of alcohol use, but strongly suggest that this effect is strongest for girls having restrictive alcohol-specific rules and in classes with a high percentage of girls. Possibly, in the absence of social factors that "push" to alcohol use, biological factors (like age at menarche) become more important. Another possibility is that adolescent girls start drinking alcohol to oppose their parents if they set too strict alcohol-specific rules.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Verhoef
- Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Utrecht University, PO Box 80.140, 3508 TC, Utrecht, The Netherlands,
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Kretschmer T, Oliver BR, Maughan B. Pubertal development, spare time activities, and adolescent delinquency: testing the contextual amplification hypothesis. J Youth Adolesc 2013; 43:1346-60. [PMID: 24323040 DOI: 10.1007/s10964-013-0074-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2013] [Accepted: 11/29/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Extensive evidence supports associations between early pubertal timing and adolescent externalizing behavior, but how and under which conditions they are linked is not fully understood. In addition, pubertal development is also characterized by variations in the relative speed at which individuals mature, but studies linking pubertal 'tempo' and outcomes are scarce. This study examined the mediating and moderating roles of spare time activities in associations between pubertal development and later delinquency, using data from a large (4,327 girls, 4,250 boys) longitudinal UK cohort (Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children). Self-reports of Tanner stage were available from ages 9 to 14, spare time activities at age 12 and delinquency at age 15. Pubertal development was examined using latent growth models. Spare time activities were categorized using factor analyses, yielding four types (hanging out at home, hanging out outside, consumerist behavior, and sports/games), which were examined as mediators and moderators. Earlier and faster maturation predicted delinquency in boys and girls. Spare time activities partially mediated these links such that early maturing girls more often engaged in hanging out outside, which placed them at greater risk for delinquency. In addition, compared to their later and slower maturing counterparts, boys who matured earlier and faster were less likely to engage in sports/games, a spare time activity type that is linked to lower delinquency risk. No moderation effects were found. The findings extend previous research on outcomes of early maturation and show how spare time activities act as proxies between pubertal development and delinquency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tina Kretschmer
- Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Interuniversity Centre for Social Science Theory and Methodology (ICS), University of Groningen, Grote Rozenstraat 31, 9712 TG, Groningen, The Netherlands,
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Mensah FK, Bayer JK, Wake M, Carlin JB, Allen NB, Patton GC. Early puberty and childhood social and behavioral adjustment. J Adolesc Health 2013; 53:118-24. [PMID: 23558038 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2012.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2012] [Revised: 12/14/2012] [Accepted: 12/19/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Early puberty has been linked to higher rates of mental health problems in adolescence. However, previous studies commencing after the initiation of puberty have been unable to explore whether early puberty is preceded by higher rates of these problems. In a large national study, we aimed to determine whether difficulties in behavior and psychosocial adjustment are evident before as well as during the early pubertal transition. METHODS The Longitudinal Study of Australian Children recruited a nationally representative cohort of 4,983 children at age 4-5 years in 2004. This analysis includes 3,491 of these children (70.1%) followed up at ages 6-7, 8-9, and 10-11 years, with a completed parent report of stage of pubertal maturation at age 8-9 years. Parents reported behavior difficulties (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire) and psychosocial adjustment (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory) at all four waves from ages 4-5 to 10-11 years. RESULTS Both boys and girls who entered puberty early (i.e., by age 8-9 years) also experienced poorer psychosocial adjustment at this age. These psychosocial differences were already evident at ages 4-5 and 6-7 years, and persisted to at least age 10-11 years. Similar patterns were evident for behavior difficulties, but only for boys; early puberty was not related to behavior difficulties in girls. CONCLUSIONS Children with early puberty have different patterns of behavior and social adjustment from the preschool years through early adolescence. At least in part, the association between early-onset puberty and poor mental health appears to result from processes under way well before the onset of puberty.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fiona K Mensah
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|