Development's tortoise and hare: Pubertal timing, pubertal tempo, and depressive symptoms in boys and girls.

Abstract

Although the sequence of pubertal maturation remains consistent across most individuals, the timing and tempo of development fluctuate widely. While past research has largely focused on the sequelae of pubertal timing, a faster tempo of maturation might also present special challenges to children for acclimating to new biological and social milestones. Using latent growth curve modeling, the present study investigated how pubertal tempo and pubertal timing predicted depressive symptoms over a 4-year period in a sample of children recruited from New York City area public schools. Rate of intraindividual change in parent-reported Tanner stages was used as an index of pubertal tempo, and more advanced Tanner development at an earlier chronological age was used as an index of pubertal timing. For girls (N = 138, M = 8.86 years old at Time 1), pubertal timing emerged as the most salient factor, and the tempo at which girls progressed through puberty was not significant. In boys (N = 128, M = 9.61 years old at Time 1), both timing and tempo of development were significant; notably, however, the effects of pubertal tempo were stronger than those of timing. These findings highlight the need to consider multiple sources of individual variability in pubertal development and suggest different pubertal challenges for boys and girls.

Pubertal development, personality, and substance use: A 10-year longitudinal study from childhood to adolescence.

“…First, a latentgrowth curve model (LGCM) based on the modeling strategy used by Mendle et al (2010) to examine pubertal status and tempo was conducted to examine pubertal development. One of the benefits of analyzing longitudinal data with LGCM is that it allows examining intraindividual change and interindividual differences in change across time (McArdle & Nesselroade, 2002).…”

“…The maturation compression proposed by Mendle et al (2010) in their study of depression provides a possible explanation as to why fast pubertal tempo may be associated with emotional and behavioral problems. This model follows a similar logic to the maturation disparity hypothesis and states that a faster developmental tempo may reduce the time a child has to (a) complete important developmental tasks characteristic of the pre-adolescent period, and (b) understand and adapt to the new biological and social challenges that come with puberty.…”

“…The relevance of both pubertal timing and tempo to developmental psychopathology may be illustrated by studies of depression. First, Mendle et al (2010) used latent-growth curve models to examine how pubertal timing and tempo were associated with depressive symptoms. They were the first to include puberty measures at four time points, enabling the assessment of pubertal tempo in a reliable way.…”

“…They were the first to include puberty measures at four time points, enabling the assessment of pubertal tempo in a reliable way. Mendle et al (2010) showed that while pubertal timing, but not tempo, was significantly associated with depressive symptoms in girls across ages 8 to 13 years, both pubertal timing and tempo were important predictors for the development of these symptoms in boys across ages 8 to 14 years. These findings highlight the importance of considering multiple sources of individual variability in pubertal development.…”

“…The maturation disparity hypothesis relates to timing and posits that earlier maturing children are forced to face a range of new challenges and stressors with fewer resources than peers who reach the same maturational stage at a later chronological age (Ge, Conger, & Elder, 2001;Ge, Jin, & Natsuaki, 2009;Petersen & Crockett, 1985). Such challenges and stressors may be hormone-related emotional liability, shifting peer and family relationships, and new parental and societal expectations.The maturation compression proposed by Mendle et al (2010) in their study of depression provides a possible explanation as to why fast pubertal tempo may be associated with emotional and behavioral problems. This model follows a similar logic to the maturation disparity hypothesis and states that a faster developmental tempo may reduce the time a child has to (a) complete important developmental tasks characteristic of the pre-adolescent period, and (b) understand and adapt to the new biological and social challenges that come with puberty.…”