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, a prospective study found
“Earlier pubertal timing in girls is often accompanied by distinct rises in the prevalence, severity, and onset of psychopathology,” wrote Jane Mendle, PhD, of Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., and her associates. “It is difficult to know whether, when, and on what processes to intervene if we cannot establish how much pubertal timing matters for well-being later in life.”
Patients were evaluated in four waves, with average ages of 15.8 years, 16.1 years, 21.7 years, and 28.7 years for waves one through four, respectively.
Symptoms for depression and antisocial behavior were evaluated using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, a self-reported survey, and a self-reported questionnaire on recent antisocial behaviors including theft, property damage, and selling drugs. The youngest girls also were asked about running away from home, lying to parents, shoplifting, and driving a car without the owner’s permission, while the oldest participants were asked about deliberately writing a bad check, using someone else’s debit card without permission, and buying or selling stolen property. Those participating were mostly white (66%) and on average experienced menarche at age 12 years.
Older age at menarche was significantly associated with lower levels of symptoms of depression (b = –0.87, P less than .05), when data were analyzed in a proximal influences model.
“To illustrate, a girl who reached menarche at age 10 years (approximately 2 years earlier than the mean) would have depressive symptoms 8% of 1 SD [standard deviation] greater in adolescence, whereas a girl who reached menarche at age 8 years would have depressive symptoms 25% of 1 SD greater,” the investigators wrote.
A linear and quadratic association between early menarche and depressive symptoms persisted as patients reached their 30s, suggesting girls who matured earlier are more likely to display symptoms of depression as an adult because they became depressed as teenagers and they remain vulnerable, Dr. Mendle and her colleagues reported.
Early maturation also was associated with a higher frequency of antisocial behavior in both proximal (b = –.009, P less than .05) and lingering (b = –0.02, P less than .05) models.
Dr. Mendle and her colleagues found the gap in antisocial activity between those who matured early and those who did not was more pronounced in adulthood than adolescence, and the effects of antisocial behavior were smaller than the effects of depressive symptoms.
The investigators said they were limited by an incomplete understanding of why these longitudinal effects continue. Also, because they used age at menarche as an indicator of pubertal timing, the investigators said they could not capture the social, emotional, or hormonal processes present earlier in puberty.
“Results from the current study suggest that girls who experienced earlier menarche continued to report elevated psychopathology in early-to-middle adulthood even after accounting for demographic and contextual variables commonly associated with vulnerability for mental health. These findings align with the broad body of work linking early puberty with higher psychopathology during adolescence as well as with the few studies showing longer-term associations with mental health in adulthood,” Dr. Mendle and her associates wrote.
“Understanding the longevity of these associations offers new challenges to researchers, [and] practical information for pediatricians and adolescent health care providers, and highlights that the emotional sequelae of puberty may endure well past the proximal period of adolescence,” they concluded. There also may be other disorders beyond depression and antisocial behavior associated with early puberty, which should be explored.
This study was funded by the National Institutes of Health. The investigators reported no relevant financial disclosures.
SOURCE: Mendle J et al. Pediatrics. 2017 Dec 26. doi: 10.1542/peds.2017-1703.
Puberty is a complex time for teenagers, especially young girls, and biological factors and chronic stress such as early childhood abuse or neglect can lead to the early onset of puberty, and subsequently depression and antisocial behavior. A link between obesity and an early start to puberty has been established in previous studies as well.
Adding poor body image and possible bullying to the stresses of puberty can create an increased risk for mental health problems. There are also the added pressures of looking older physically, but socially not having matured enough; young girls may seek out friends who are older than them to fit in with peers who look like them, and then feel pressured to engage in risky activities to fit in.
It is important for us as pediatricians to intervene when these situations arise. Having a thorough history of trauma when counseling patients on their pubescent time line can be essential. Screen for depression and antisocial behavior in girls with early puberty, and refer to developmentally appropriate community and mental health resources for additional support if necessary. Talk with parents about close monitoring of friend groups and about encouraging their children to spend time with age-appropriate friends. Our mission is to guide children and adolescents into healthy adulthood.
Ellen Selkie, MD, MPH, is an adolescent medicine specialist at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She commented on the article by Mendle et al. in an accompanying editorial (Pediatrics. 2017 Jan 1. doi: 10.1542/peds.2017-3460 .) She had no relevant financial disclosures.
Puberty is a complex time for teenagers, especially young girls, and biological factors and chronic stress such as early childhood abuse or neglect can lead to the early onset of puberty, and subsequently depression and antisocial behavior. A link between obesity and an early start to puberty has been established in previous studies as well.
Adding poor body image and possible bullying to the stresses of puberty can create an increased risk for mental health problems. There are also the added pressures of looking older physically, but socially not having matured enough; young girls may seek out friends who are older than them to fit in with peers who look like them, and then feel pressured to engage in risky activities to fit in.
It is important for us as pediatricians to intervene when these situations arise. Having a thorough history of trauma when counseling patients on their pubescent time line can be essential. Screen for depression and antisocial behavior in girls with early puberty, and refer to developmentally appropriate community and mental health resources for additional support if necessary. Talk with parents about close monitoring of friend groups and about encouraging their children to spend time with age-appropriate friends. Our mission is to guide children and adolescents into healthy adulthood.
Ellen Selkie, MD, MPH, is an adolescent medicine specialist at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She commented on the article by Mendle et al. in an accompanying editorial (Pediatrics. 2017 Jan 1. doi: 10.1542/peds.2017-3460 .) She had no relevant financial disclosures.
Puberty is a complex time for teenagers, especially young girls, and biological factors and chronic stress such as early childhood abuse or neglect can lead to the early onset of puberty, and subsequently depression and antisocial behavior. A link between obesity and an early start to puberty has been established in previous studies as well.
Adding poor body image and possible bullying to the stresses of puberty can create an increased risk for mental health problems. There are also the added pressures of looking older physically, but socially not having matured enough; young girls may seek out friends who are older than them to fit in with peers who look like them, and then feel pressured to engage in risky activities to fit in.
It is important for us as pediatricians to intervene when these situations arise. Having a thorough history of trauma when counseling patients on their pubescent time line can be essential. Screen for depression and antisocial behavior in girls with early puberty, and refer to developmentally appropriate community and mental health resources for additional support if necessary. Talk with parents about close monitoring of friend groups and about encouraging their children to spend time with age-appropriate friends. Our mission is to guide children and adolescents into healthy adulthood.
Ellen Selkie, MD, MPH, is an adolescent medicine specialist at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She commented on the article by Mendle et al. in an accompanying editorial (Pediatrics. 2017 Jan 1. doi: 10.1542/peds.2017-3460 .) She had no relevant financial disclosures.
, a prospective study found
“Earlier pubertal timing in girls is often accompanied by distinct rises in the prevalence, severity, and onset of psychopathology,” wrote Jane Mendle, PhD, of Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., and her associates. “It is difficult to know whether, when, and on what processes to intervene if we cannot establish how much pubertal timing matters for well-being later in life.”
Patients were evaluated in four waves, with average ages of 15.8 years, 16.1 years, 21.7 years, and 28.7 years for waves one through four, respectively.
Symptoms for depression and antisocial behavior were evaluated using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, a self-reported survey, and a self-reported questionnaire on recent antisocial behaviors including theft, property damage, and selling drugs. The youngest girls also were asked about running away from home, lying to parents, shoplifting, and driving a car without the owner’s permission, while the oldest participants were asked about deliberately writing a bad check, using someone else’s debit card without permission, and buying or selling stolen property. Those participating were mostly white (66%) and on average experienced menarche at age 12 years.
Older age at menarche was significantly associated with lower levels of symptoms of depression (b = –0.87, P less than .05), when data were analyzed in a proximal influences model.
“To illustrate, a girl who reached menarche at age 10 years (approximately 2 years earlier than the mean) would have depressive symptoms 8% of 1 SD [standard deviation] greater in adolescence, whereas a girl who reached menarche at age 8 years would have depressive symptoms 25% of 1 SD greater,” the investigators wrote.
A linear and quadratic association between early menarche and depressive symptoms persisted as patients reached their 30s, suggesting girls who matured earlier are more likely to display symptoms of depression as an adult because they became depressed as teenagers and they remain vulnerable, Dr. Mendle and her colleagues reported.
Early maturation also was associated with a higher frequency of antisocial behavior in both proximal (b = –.009, P less than .05) and lingering (b = –0.02, P less than .05) models.
Dr. Mendle and her colleagues found the gap in antisocial activity between those who matured early and those who did not was more pronounced in adulthood than adolescence, and the effects of antisocial behavior were smaller than the effects of depressive symptoms.
The investigators said they were limited by an incomplete understanding of why these longitudinal effects continue. Also, because they used age at menarche as an indicator of pubertal timing, the investigators said they could not capture the social, emotional, or hormonal processes present earlier in puberty.
“Results from the current study suggest that girls who experienced earlier menarche continued to report elevated psychopathology in early-to-middle adulthood even after accounting for demographic and contextual variables commonly associated with vulnerability for mental health. These findings align with the broad body of work linking early puberty with higher psychopathology during adolescence as well as with the few studies showing longer-term associations with mental health in adulthood,” Dr. Mendle and her associates wrote.
“Understanding the longevity of these associations offers new challenges to researchers, [and] practical information for pediatricians and adolescent health care providers, and highlights that the emotional sequelae of puberty may endure well past the proximal period of adolescence,” they concluded. There also may be other disorders beyond depression and antisocial behavior associated with early puberty, which should be explored.
This study was funded by the National Institutes of Health. The investigators reported no relevant financial disclosures.
SOURCE: Mendle J et al. Pediatrics. 2017 Dec 26. doi: 10.1542/peds.2017-1703.
, a prospective study found
“Earlier pubertal timing in girls is often accompanied by distinct rises in the prevalence, severity, and onset of psychopathology,” wrote Jane Mendle, PhD, of Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., and her associates. “It is difficult to know whether, when, and on what processes to intervene if we cannot establish how much pubertal timing matters for well-being later in life.”
Patients were evaluated in four waves, with average ages of 15.8 years, 16.1 years, 21.7 years, and 28.7 years for waves one through four, respectively.
Symptoms for depression and antisocial behavior were evaluated using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, a self-reported survey, and a self-reported questionnaire on recent antisocial behaviors including theft, property damage, and selling drugs. The youngest girls also were asked about running away from home, lying to parents, shoplifting, and driving a car without the owner’s permission, while the oldest participants were asked about deliberately writing a bad check, using someone else’s debit card without permission, and buying or selling stolen property. Those participating were mostly white (66%) and on average experienced menarche at age 12 years.
Older age at menarche was significantly associated with lower levels of symptoms of depression (b = –0.87, P less than .05), when data were analyzed in a proximal influences model.
“To illustrate, a girl who reached menarche at age 10 years (approximately 2 years earlier than the mean) would have depressive symptoms 8% of 1 SD [standard deviation] greater in adolescence, whereas a girl who reached menarche at age 8 years would have depressive symptoms 25% of 1 SD greater,” the investigators wrote.
A linear and quadratic association between early menarche and depressive symptoms persisted as patients reached their 30s, suggesting girls who matured earlier are more likely to display symptoms of depression as an adult because they became depressed as teenagers and they remain vulnerable, Dr. Mendle and her colleagues reported.
Early maturation also was associated with a higher frequency of antisocial behavior in both proximal (b = –.009, P less than .05) and lingering (b = –0.02, P less than .05) models.
Dr. Mendle and her colleagues found the gap in antisocial activity between those who matured early and those who did not was more pronounced in adulthood than adolescence, and the effects of antisocial behavior were smaller than the effects of depressive symptoms.
The investigators said they were limited by an incomplete understanding of why these longitudinal effects continue. Also, because they used age at menarche as an indicator of pubertal timing, the investigators said they could not capture the social, emotional, or hormonal processes present earlier in puberty.
“Results from the current study suggest that girls who experienced earlier menarche continued to report elevated psychopathology in early-to-middle adulthood even after accounting for demographic and contextual variables commonly associated with vulnerability for mental health. These findings align with the broad body of work linking early puberty with higher psychopathology during adolescence as well as with the few studies showing longer-term associations with mental health in adulthood,” Dr. Mendle and her associates wrote.
“Understanding the longevity of these associations offers new challenges to researchers, [and] practical information for pediatricians and adolescent health care providers, and highlights that the emotional sequelae of puberty may endure well past the proximal period of adolescence,” they concluded. There also may be other disorders beyond depression and antisocial behavior associated with early puberty, which should be explored.
This study was funded by the National Institutes of Health. The investigators reported no relevant financial disclosures.
SOURCE: Mendle J et al. Pediatrics. 2017 Dec 26. doi: 10.1542/peds.2017-1703.
FROM PEDIATRICS
Key clinical point: Girls who start puberty earlier are more likely to develop depression or antisocial behavior.
Major finding: Patients who reached menarche at 8 years of age showed depressive symptoms 25% of 1 standard deviation greater than those at 12 years of age.
Study details: A prospective study of 7,802 women gathered from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health between 1994 and 2008.
Disclosures: The investigators reported no relevant financial disclosures. This study was funded by the National Institutes of Health.Source: Mendle J et al. Pediatrics. 2017 Dec 26. doi: 10.1542/peds.2017-1703.
