Expert consensus: Considerations for developmental scientists working with puberty data longitudinally in humans

Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology, vol. 83, pp. 101284

Abstract

Longitudinal measurement and modeling are vital for understanding pubertal processes and their effects on neural and behavioral development. This practical guide for developmental scientists incorporates findings from recent large, longitudinal studies. It reviews best practices for longitudinal studies of puberty in humans, beginning with a brief overview of puberty and two overlapping processes: adrenarche and gonadarche. It emphasizes the importance of longitudinal research in assessing factors such as pubertal tempo (rate of progression). Methods for measuring puberty in humans are discussed, along with considerations for each. The article outlines statistical modeling strategies for developmental research and highlights the roles of sex, gender, adverse experiences, and racial/ethnic identity in shaping pubertal trajectories. A resource list of key papers and data analysis code is provided to support research. This paper guides research efforts to enhance understanding of pubertal development.

Authors 18

1. Clare F. McCann

   University of California, Los Angeles · University of Oregon

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Psychology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA. Electronic address: clarefmccann@ucla.edu

2. Michelle L. Byrne

   Monash University

   Affiliation as printed

   Turner Institute of Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia

3. Marjolein E.A. Barendse

   Erasmus MC

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Child and Adolescent Psychology/Psychiatry, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands

4. Elizabeth Anne Shirtcliff

   Boston Children's Hospital · Harvard University

   Affiliation as printed

   Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

5. Megan M. Herting

   University of Southern California

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA

6. Katherine L. Bottenhorn

   Florida International University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Psychology; Center for Children and Families, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA

7. Ronald E. Dahl

   University of California, Berkeley

   Affiliation as printed

   School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA

8. Anne‐Lise Goddings

   South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust · Great Ormond Street Hospital · Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust · University College London

   Affiliation as printed

   Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK; Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK; Maudsley Centre for Children and Adolescent Eating Disorders, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK

9. Victoria Guazzelli Williamson

   University of Pittsburgh · University of Oregon

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Psychology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

10. Cecile D. Ladouceur

    University of Pittsburgh

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

11. Niamh MacSweeney

    University of Oslo · Diakonhjemmet Hospital

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Psychology, PROMENTA Research Centre, University of Oslo, Norway; Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway

12. Lucía Magis‐Weinberg

    University of Washington

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

13. Ethan Michael McCormick Aachen

    Leiden University · University of Delaware

    Affiliation as printed

    Methodology and Statistics, Leiden University; Education Statistics and Data Science, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA

14. Megan W. Patterson

    University of Colorado Anschutz

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA

15. Jennifer A. Silvers

    University of California, Los Angeles

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA

16. Sarah Whittle

    Deakin University · The University of Melbourne

    Affiliation as printed

    School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia; Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences and Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia

17. Jennifer H. Pfeifer

    University of Oregon

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Psychology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA

18. Theresa W Cheng

    Stanford University

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA