Longitudinal Associations Between Pubertal Development and Youth Behavioral Adjustment in the Context of Parent and Peer Relationships

Social Development, vol. 35

Abstract

ABSTRACT Puberty is a key developmental process influencing youths’ psychosocial adjustment, yet research has rarely examined its links to adaptive outcomes such as prosocial behavior. Using data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, we applied linear mixed‐effects models to test associations between pubertal timing and tempo—derived from SITAR growth curve modeling of up to nine assessments (ages 8–17 years)—and mother‐reported behavioral adjustment at age 16 years. Pubertal data were available for 5013 girls and 4822 boys. Pre‐registered analyses showed no associations between puberty and either prosocial behavior or externalizing problems at age 16. Exploratory analyses revealed that earlier pubertal timing and faster tempo were linked to more internalizing problems at age 16. At age 13, earlier timing predicted more externalizing problems, whereas later timing predicted more prosocial behavior. Most of these associations were attenuated in moderation analyses examining interactions between pubertal maturation and either parent–child disclosure or friendship satisfaction. Findings highlight developmental specificity in puberty–behavior links and suggest that supportive social relationships may buffer risks of early or rapid pubertal maturation.

Authors 6

1. Lia Ferschmann corresponding

   Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies

   Affiliation as printed

   Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies Oslo Norway

2. Simone Dobbelaar Aachen Developmental and Educational Psychology Institute of Psychology Leiden University Leiden The Netherlands

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Developmental and Educational Psychology, Institute of Psychology Leiden University Leiden the Netherlands

3. Christian Krog Tamnes

   University of Oslo · Diakonhjemmet Hospital

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Psychology, PROMENTA Research Center University of Oslo Oslo Norway

   Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Diakonhjemmet Hospital Oslo Norway

4. Stella Tsotsi

   OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Nursing and Health Promotion Oslo Metropolitan University Oslo Norway

5. Yara Jo Toenders

   Erasmus University Rotterdam

   Affiliation as printed

   Erasmus School of Social and Behavioral Sciences Erasmus University Rotterdam Rotterdam the Netherlands

6. Niamh MacSweeney

   University of Oslo · Diakonhjemmet Hospital

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Psychology, PROMENTA Research Center University of Oslo Oslo Norway

   Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Diakonhjemmet Hospital Oslo Norway