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Cited by 225Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional DevelopmentPsychosocial Factors Impacting YouthAdolescent Health and Behaviors

Trajectories of Depressed Mood From Early Adolescence to Young Adulthood: The Effects of Pubertal Timing and Adolescent Dating

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Natsuaki, Misaki N., Biehl, Michael C., Ge, Xiaojia·2009·Journal of Research on Adolescence
DOI 10.1111/j.1532-7795.2009.00581.x
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Abstract

The effects of pubertal timing and adolescent dating on trajectories of depressed mood from early adolescence to young adulthood were examined among youths who participated in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Results showed that for both boys and girls, the trajectories of depressed mood between the ages of 12 and 23 took an inverse U‐shape with its peak in mid‐adolescence. Furthermore, pubertal timing was a significant predictor of depressed mood at age 12. The pubertal timing effect was nonlinear, suggesting that at age 12, early and late maturing youths were at risk of experiencing elevated levels of depressed mood. The adverse effect of off‐time maturation gradually dissipated over time. Moreover, in early adolescence, teenagers, particularly girls, were adversely affected by dating, and off‐time physical maturation exacerbated the negative effects of dating. However, the interactive effect of dating and pubertal timing gradually decreased with age. Our findings underscore the importance of examining junctures of biological and social challenges in adolescence to gain better understandings of young people's emotional experiences over time.

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  • Those who start dating in early adolescence show more depressive symptoms than those starting later in adolescence.

    “Indeed, studies have shown that those who start dating in early adolescence show more depressive symptoms (Natsuaki and Biehl 2009), and more aggressive and delinquent behaviors (Connolly et al. 2013) than those starting later in adolescence.”

    From Patterns of Romantic Relationship Experiences and Psychosocial Adjustment From Adolescence to Young Adulthood (2021) · cites this paper as Natsuaki and Biehl 2009

    The Discussion reports that dating at ages 12–16 was associated with higher depressed mood in early adolescence for both boys and girls. But the Measures section classifies participants as daters or nondaters during that period; it does not compare those who started dating early with those who started later in adolescence. (LLM, conf=0.87)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Physical maturation and onset of dating and sexual interactions contribute to an appearance-centered focus in adolescence.

    “Several factors, such as physical maturation and onset of dating and sexual interactions, contribute to this appearance-centered focus in adolescence (Natsuaki, Biehl, & Ge, 2009).”

    From The reciprocal and indirect relationships between passive Facebook use, comparison on Facebook, and adolescents' body dissatisfaction (2017) · cites this paper as Natsuaki et al., 2009

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  27. NATSUAKI, BIEHL, AND GE 15327795, 2009, 1, Downloaded from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1532-7795.2009.00581.x by Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Wiley Online Library on [23/06/2026]. See the Terms and Conditions (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions) on Wiley Online Library for rules of use; OA articles are governed by the applicable Creative Commons License · DOI

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Authors
Natsuaki, M. N., Biehl, M. C., & Ge, X.
Affiliations
  • University of Minnesota (US)
  • University of California System (US)
Corresponding author
Natsuaki, Misaki N.
ORCID
Natsuaki, Misaki N.
Venue
Journal of Research on Adolescence
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2009-02-18
Volume
19
Issue
1
Pages
47-74
ISSN
  • 1050-8392 (ISSN-L)
  • 1532-7795
DOI
10.1111/j.1532-7795.2009.00581.x
OpenAlex
W2136490965
Cited by
225
References
5
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 52 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 18 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 16 · 2014: 14 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 11
FWCI
11.30
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations
Journal of Research on Adolescence (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (P01-HD31921)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Psychosocial Factors Impacting Youth
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Adolescent Health and Behaviors
Keywords
depressive mood, pubertal timing, adolescent dating, adolescent romantic relationships, early adolescence, early adulthood, developmental trajectories, sex differences, adolescent mental health

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