MENARCHE - A CROSSROADS THAT PREVIEWS DEVELOPMENTAL-CHANGE

In recent years the developmental implications of menarche have garner ed particular attention. Investigators have determined that this devel opmental event tends to affect three significant domains of the adoles cent girl's function: psychological status, relationships with peers, and role in the family. This paper explores these issues and introduce s a new technique, referred to as previewing, that may help the teenag e girl acclimate to the status of sexual maturity. Derived from the ea rly life interactions of caregiver and infant, previewing promotes rep resentational skills and enhances self-esteem as the adolescent confro nts developmental challenges.