PSYCHIATRIC RISK ASSOCIATED WITH EARLY PUBERTY IN ADOLESCENT GIRLS

Objective: This study prospectively evaluated the relationship between early puberty and the onset of internalizing symptoms and disorders i n adolescent girls. Method: The sample was drawn from 1,463 sixth-, se venth-, and eighth-grade girls who participated in a longitudinal scho ol-based study of growth and development. Pubertal stage was determine d by self-assessment of Tanner stage. Psychiatric assessments included self-report instruments and structured diagnostic interviews. Surviva l methods were utilized for data analysis. Results: Girls with onset o f internalizing symptoms were on average 5 months earlier in pubertal development than those who were asymptomatic (p<.001). in addition, gi rls with earlier maturation (earliest quartile) were more likely to de velop internalizing symptoms than were nonearly maturers (hazard ratio = 1.8, confidence interval = 1.2, 2.7). In a subsample of girls follo wed into high school, early-maturing girls were at marginally higher r isk (p<.10) for developing internalizing disorders by the study's end. The highest risk for internalizing disorders was for those girls with both early puberty and prior internalizing symptoms (odds ratio = 3.3 ). Conclusion: Early puberty increases the risk of internalizing sympt oms and perhaps internalizing disorders in adolescent girls.