How It May Affect Your Child
- Stunted Growth A child that is going through puberty may at first be quite tall when compared with their peers. ...
- Behavioral Changes For girls, irritability, emotional outbursts, and moodiness can accompany early puberty. ...
- Bullying or Teasing by Others ...
- Higher Rates of Depression and Anxiety ...
- Lower Self-Esteem and Body Image ...
- Greater Risk of Substance Abuse ...
- Earlier Sexual Activity ...
- Poorer Academic Outcomes ...
Are early-mature girls at increased risk of mental health problems?
Early-maturing girls are at increased risk of a range of psychosocial problems including depression, substance use and early sexual behavior, as University of Florida psychologist Julia Graber, PhD, described in a recent review ( Hormones and Behavior, 2013).
Is it bad to get your period early as a teenager?
For the past 50 years, researchers have known that girls who get their periods earlier than their peers are more psychologically vulnerable as teenagers. They have more frequent and severe mental health problems, from depression to anxiety, eating disorders, delinquency, substance abuse and failing or dropping out of school.
Do early periods cause depression and antisocial behavior in teens?
Tracking nearly 8,000 girls from adolescence through their late 20s - far longer than other studies have - a researcher says girls who get their periods earlier than peers are likely to experience depression and antisocial behavior well into adulthood.
How long do mental health problems in teens last?
They have more frequent and severe mental health problems, from depression to anxiety, eating disorders, delinquency, substance abuse and failing or dropping out of school. But next to nothing was known about how long those problems last. A new study suggests they could persist for years.
Why are girls at risk for mental health issues as teenagers?
Girls who experience puberty earlier than their peers are at risk for mental health problems as teenagers because there’s such a mismatch between how they look and their emotional and cognitive maturity. “What’s tricky is because they look older, they start to get treated like they’re older. But they still have the internal mental workings of their normal chronological age,” Mendle said. Parents tend to grant them more autonomy. They tend to be the targets of sexual harassment and rumors at school. And it can be hard for these girls to maintain their friendships with others who are maturing at a different rate, she added. “It’s that cumulative effect.”
Why do girls get their periods earlier?
They have more frequent and severe mental health problems, from depression to anxiety, eating disorders, delinquency, substance abuse and failing or dropping out of school. But next to nothing was known about how long those problems last.
How old is the average woman when she gets her period?
The average age at which most girls get their periods is now around 12.5 years old.
Does depression affect early periods?
By the time the study participants were nearly 30 years old, the links between early periods and depression were still clear. And the magnitude of the association was just as strong as it was in adolescence, years before, Mendle said, adding: “To me, that was the most interesting finding: that the effect lingered at the same strength.”
Is early puberty a public health issue?
A lack of understanding about the long-term effects of early puberty is a public health issue, and pediatricians must be aware of how long these psychological problems can last, she said: “These are real people, with real lives. They’re not just data points. Early puberty is one extra risk factor that seems to be putting them on a different path.”
Do antisocial behaviors get worse as you grow up?
Earlier-maturing girls in the study also reported more frequent antisocial behaviors as teenagers, with more acting out, rule-breaking and delinquency. And that behavior only got worse as they grew up. That’s the exact opposite pattern normally developing teens display, Mendle said. “Usually people aren’t shoplifting at 25 as much as they do at 15. … But these kids did not show the typical age-related declines in antisocial behavior, and their behaviors got worse.”
What were the factors that affected the age of menstruation?
They were asked the age at which they began menstruating, if they had symptoms of depression and antisocial behavior, and other factors associated with early puberty and mental health problems, such as household income and whether their father was absent.
Why are girls at risk for mental health problems as teenagers?
Girls who experience puberty earlier than their peers are at risk for mental health problems as teenagers because there's such a mismatch between how they look and their emotional and cognitive maturity. "What's tricky is because they look older, they start to get treated like they're older.
How many girls get their periods earlier than peers?
Tracking nearly 8,000 girls from adolescence through their late 20s -- far longer than other studies have -- a Cornell University researcher says girls who get their periods earlier than peers are likely to experience depression and antisocial behavior well into adulthood.
How old is the average woman when she gets her period?
26, 2017, in Pediatrics. The average age at which most girls get their periods is now around 12.5 years old.
When do psychological problems last?
For girls who mature early, psychological problems last into adulthood. Date: February 28, 2018. Source: Cornell University. Summary: Tracking nearly 8,000 girls from adolescence through their late 20s - far longer than other studies have - a researcher says girls who get their periods earlier than peers are likely to experience depression ...
Is early puberty a public health issue?
A lack of understanding about the long-term effects of early puberty is a public health issue, and pediatricians must be aware of how long these psychological problems can last, she said: "These are real people, with real lives. They're not just data points.
Does depression affect early periods?
By the time the study participants were nearly 30 years old, the links between early periods and depression were still clear. And the magnitude of the association was just as strong as it was in adolescence, years before, Mendle said, adding: "To me, that was the most interesting finding: that the effect lingered at the same strength."
Why are early maturing girls at risk?
Early-maturing girls are at increased risk of a range of psychosocial problems including depression, substance use and early sexual behavior, as University of Florida psychologist Julia Graber, PhD, described in a recent review ( Hormones and Behavior, 2013). The picture for early-developing boys isn't as clear, but evidence suggests that they, too, might suffer ill effects from maturing ahead of their peers.
What makes maturing earlier so challenging?
What is it that makes maturing earlier so challenging? When kids develop early, the way they act and think doesn't always match the way they look. Other kids and adults might make erroneous assumptions about what they are capable of.
How long does puberty last?
After all, early puberty isn't a single event — it's a process that can last four years or more . "The things happening in the first year may be very different than those in the last year," says Mendle.
Why is puberty so early?
Improved nutrition, for instance, has been associated with earlier maturation. On the other hand, negative causes such as increased stress and obesity have also been linked to early puberty. Researchers are also exploring whether endocrine-disrupting chemicals — such as bisphenol A, an estrogen-mimicking compound once found widely in plastics — might be a factor in initiating puberty. But without knowing what factors are driving the trend, Keenan says, it's hard to know how worried to be.
What hormones are released during puberty?
Puberty is a process launched when the pituitary gland releases hormones that signal the body to amp up production of the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone (in girls) or testosterone (in boys), triggering the development of secondary sexual characteristics.
When does puberty start?
In girls, puberty typically begins with breast development between ages 8 and 13 and ends with menarche, or the first period. In boys, puberty begins between ages 9 and 14, on average, starting with growth of the sexual organs and wrapping up with facial hair and a deepened voice.
Is puberty hard for girls?
Cultural connotations might make puberty particularly hard for girls. Being sexually mature brings specific challenges for young women, Mendle says. "In particular, there are changes in thinking of yourself as sexually desirable or physically attractive that get emphasized for girls at puberty."
What are the effects of early maturation?
Early maturation for boys have mixed effects. Boys who are stronger and more athletic during their early teen years tend to be more popular, self-assured, and independent, though are also more at risk for alcohol use, delinquency, and premature sexual activity
Which stage of moral development has self-interest?
Kohlbergś stage of moral development that has self-interest; obeys rules to avoid punishment or gain concrete rewards
Which stage of moral development upholds laws and rules to gain social approval or maintain social order?
Kohlbergś stage of moral development that upholds laws and rules to gain social approval or maintain social order
When do brain cells increase their connections?
Until puberty, brain cells increase their connections. Then, during adolescence comes a selective pruning of unused neurons and connections. What we don use, we lose
What Is Precocious Puberty?
Other puberty signs usually begin by around age 10 or 11. These are called secondary sex characteristics and include breast buds and pubic hair, Precocious puberty, which is also known as early-onset puberty, occurs when a girl enters puberty before age 8. 3
What is it called when a child starts puberty?
Although it's rare, some kids start puberty at a very young age - a condition called precocious puberty. 1 Here's what parents should know if a child begins puberty at a very young age.
Who is Rebecca Fraser Thill?
Rebecca Fraser-Thill holds a Master's Degree in developmental psychology and writes about child development and tween parenting. Lindsey Waldman, MD, RD, is a board-certified pediatrician and pediatric endocrinologist. Puberty is a tough transition for any tween, but some children find it more difficult than others.
Does early puberty affect early puberty?
As a result, early puberty in girls has a negative impact. There is some research evidence in support of this explanation, which is called the "stage termination hypothesis". 3.
Do tweens have more stress?
In particular, early-ma turing tweens do seem to be more susceptible to stress than their normally developing peers.
Is premature puberty bad for tweens?
All in all, it is currently unclear exactly why premature puberty has such a negative impact on tweens, and create so many challenges for families. With further research, scientists may pinpoint which of these hypotheses - or combination of them - provides the best explanation.
