Physical Similarity of and Disclosure of Menarcheal Status to Friends: Effects of Grade and Pubertal Status

Abstract

This study explores the relationship of friendship characteristics, specifically perceived reciprocity and self-disclosure of menarcheal status, to physical similarity, pubertal status, and grade level. One hundred and twenty girls in fifth, sixth, and seventh grades were interviewed about their friendships. Each girl was asked to name her "best," "close," and ",other" friends, as well as whether the friendships were reciprocal, whether each friend would tell the subject when she began menstruating (or, if postmenarcheal, did tell), and vice-versa. Girls rated the similarity of each friends' physical development to their own physical development. A nurse rated the girls' physical development by the Tanner method.

Explaining the longitudinal association between puberty and depression: Sex differences in the mediating effects of peer stress

“…These stressful peer experiences, in turn, feed back into the developing adolescent’s adjustment, reflected in the depressive reactions that often accompany stress in the peer domain (Rudolph, et al, 2000). Furthermore, by virtue of their pubertal development and timing, adolescents also seek out particular social relationships and environments (Brooks-Gunn, et al, 1986; Magnusson, 1988). Thus, adolescents both select and shape their social contexts in ways that contribute to their subsequent developmental trajectories (Lerner, 1987; Scarr & McCartney, 1983; Steinberg, 1995).…”

Conflictive Engagement, Positive Affect, and Menarche in Families with Seventh-Grade Girls

“…Third, conflicts are more frequent in the mother-daughter dyad than in any other parent-adolescent dyad (e.g., Montemayor, 1983). Finally, menarehe is a pubertal event in young adolescent girls that has been of considerable interest to those who study the psychological impact of pubertal change (e.g., Brooks-Gunn, 1984Brooks-Gunn & Ruble, 1983;Koff, Rierdan, & Silverstone, 1978;Rierdan & Koff, 1980;Ruble & Brooks-Gunn, 1982;Whisnant & Zegans, 1975) or the impact of such changes on family and peer relations (e.g., Brooks-Gunn, Samelson, Warren & Fox, 1986;Garwood & Allen, 1979;Hauser et al, 1985;Hill, 1988;Hill et al, 1985a;Stone & Barker, 1939).…”

“I've Never Thought about It”: Contradictions and Taboos Surrounding American Males' Experiences of First Ejaculation (Semenarche)

“…For example, although 48% of subjects in one American study reported being aware that first ejaculation would occur soon, the investigators discovered: "It is extremely important to note that 30.7% of this group indicated that they were aware spermarche was going to occur, but that they had received information from no source" (Downs & Fuller 1991, p. 98, emphasis in original). These findings differ sharply from those of girls' experiences of menarche, which indicate that girls accurately report information sources (Brooks-Gunn et al, 1986;Brumberg, 1997;Greif & Ulman, 1982). This difference in research findings between menarche and semenarche highlights how the overtly sexual nature of semenarche relegates the experience to a distinctive place in human development.…”