Cited by 389Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormonesChild and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional DevelopmentAdolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health

Individual differences in boys’ and girls’ timing and tempo of puberty: Modeling development with nonlinear growth models

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Marceau, Kristine, Ram, Nilam, Houts, Renate M., Grimm, Kevin J., Susman, Elizabeth J.·2011·Developmental Psychology

Abstract

Pubertal development is a nonlinear process progressing from prepubescent beginnings through biological, physical, and psychological changes to full sexual maturity. To tether theoretical concepts of puberty with sophisticated longitudinal, analytical models capable of articulating pubertal development more accurately, we used nonlinear mixed-effects models to describe both the timing and tempo of pubertal development in the sample of 364 White boys and 373 White girls measured across 6 years as part of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development. Individual differences in timing and tempo were extracted with models of logistic growth. Differential relations emerged for how boys' and girls' timing and tempo of development were related to physical characteristics (body mass index, height, and weight) and psychological outcomes (internalizing problems, externalizing problems, and risky sexual behavior). Timing and tempo are associated in boys but not girls. Pubertal timing and tempo are particularly important for predicting psychological outcomes in girls but only sparsely related to boys' psychological outcomes. Results highlight the importance of considering the nonlinear nature of puberty and expand the repertoire of possibilities for examining important aspects of how and when pubertal processes contribute to development.

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  • In girls, earlier pubertal timing and more rapid pubertal tempo relative to same-age, same-sex peers are associated with higher rates of depressive disorders, as well as substance use disorders, eating disorders, and antisocial behavior.

    “For example, in girls, earlier pubertal timing and more rapid pubertal tempo (relative to same-age, same-sex peers) is associated with higher rates of depressive disorders in particular, as well as substance use disorders, eating disorders, and antisocial behavior.(30–32)”

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Authors
Marceau, K., Ram, N., Houts, R. M., Grimm, K. J., & Susman, E. J.
Affiliations
  • Duke University (US)
  • University of California, Davis (US)
  • Pennsylvania State University (US)
Venue
Developmental Psychology
Published
2011-09
Volume
47
Issue
5
Pages
1389-1409
ISSN
  • 0012-1649 (ISSN-L)
  • 1939-0599
OpenAlex
W1967329472
Cited by
389
References
82
Citations by year
2026: 31 · 2025: 36 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 39 · 2022: 29 · 2021: 23 · 2020: 74 · 2019: 32 · 2018: 27 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 17 · 2014: 22 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 7
FWCI
15.51
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Developmental Psychology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (cooperative agreement 5U10HD025460-18; 5U10HD025447-18; 5U10HD025420-19; 5U10HD025456-18; 5U10HD025445-19; 5U01HD033343-14; 5U10HD025451-19; 5U10HD025430-18; 5U10HD025449-18; 5U10HD027040-18; 5U10HD025455-18)
  • National Institute of Mental Health (MH077874-04)
  • National Institute on Aging (RC1-AG035645)
  • National Science Foundation (DRL-0815787)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormones
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
Keywords
pubertal timing, pubertal tempo, pubertal development, individual differences, sex differences, nonlinear growth models, logistic growth, body mass index, internalizing problems, externalizing problems, sexual risk behavior, longitudinal development
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Psychology, Adolescent, Anthropometry, Child, Female, Humans, Individuality, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Models, Biological, Predictive Value of Tests, Puberty, Sexual Behavior, Sex Characteristics, Logistic Models, Nonlinear Dynamics, Adolescent Development

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