Timing of Pubertal Maturation in Girls: An Integrated Life History Approach.

Abstract

Life history theory provides a metatheoretical framework for the study of pubertal timing from an evolutionary-developmental perspective. The current article reviews 5 middle-level theories--energetics theory, stress-suppression theory, psychosocial acceleration theory, paternal investment theory, and child development theory--each of which applies the basic assumptions of life history theory to the question of environmental influences on timing of puberty in girls. These theories converge in their conceptualization of pubertal timing as responsive to ecological conditions but diverge in their conceptualization of (a) the nature, extent, and direction of environmental influences and (b) the effects of pubertal timing on other reproductive variables. Competing hypotheses derived from the 5 perspectives are evaluated. An extension of W. T. Boyce and B. J. Ellis's (in press) theory of stress reactivity is proposed to account for both inhibiting and accelerating effects of psychosocial stress on timing of pubertal development. This review highlights the multiplicity of (often unrecognized) perspectives guiding research, raises challenges to virtually all of these, and presents an alternative framework in an effort to move research forward in this arena of multidisciplinary inquiry.

Socioeconomic status in relation to early menarche among black and white girls

“…The following baseline covariates that were previously associated with age at menarche [19] were considered in the present analyses.…”

“…Because many predictors of age at menarche often covary with socioeconomic settings (e.g. anthropometric status, physical activity, family functioning), explanatory pathways remain poorly understood [19]. Efforts to identify the explanatory mechanisms are further complicated by the multidimensional nature of SES, since its relationship with outcome varies according to how it is measured [20].…”

Violence, Teenage Pregnancy, and Life History

“…Associations between family breakdown (operationalized as parental separation, parental abuse, father absence etc.) and early sexual/reproductive onset have also been documented (Belsky, 2007;Chisholm, 1999a;Ellis, 2004;Ellis, Bates, Dodge, Fergusson, Horwood, Pettit & Woodward 2003;Ellis & Essex, 2007).…”

Detrimental psychological outcomes associated with early pubertal timing in adolescent girls

“…It is worth noting that Ellis (2004) similarly integrated the female pubertal timing literature in a seminal review paper on precursors of early maturation. The current paper seeks to complement and extend this earlier work by reviewing negative sequelae of early maturation.…”

“…Nevertheless, early maturers seem to differ from later developing peers differ in several key biological ways. Gonadarche triggers sharp increase in pulses of gonadotropin releasing hormone (or GnRH), which facilitates the pituitary gland's increased secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) (Ellis, 2004;Fechner, 2003;Paretsch & Sippel, 2001). Early maturing girls not only begin secreting FSH at an earlier age, but also secrete more of the hormone than later maturing girls.…”