Abstract
Previous research has investigated the relationship between pubertal timing and depression in girls, with most results suggesting
that earlier menarche predicts more depression in adolescence. However, few studies have controlled for the potentially confounding
effects of childhood depressive symptoms. The current study uses a prospective, longitudinal sample of 1,185 girls (47.8 %
Caucasian) to examine the relationships between pubertal timing, childhood depressive symptoms, and adolescent depressive
symptomatology. Using multiple linear regression analyses, our results suggest that higher levels of childhood depressive
symptoms and earlier menarche have independent effects on adolescent depressive symptoms. Surprisingly, childhood depressive
symptomatology predicted later age of menarche, although the magnitude of this effect was small. Taken together, the results suggest that early childhood
depressive symptoms and early menarche represent independent pathways to later depressive symptoms.
that earlier menarche predicts more depression in adolescence. However, few studies have controlled for the potentially confounding
effects of childhood depressive symptoms. The current study uses a prospective, longitudinal sample of 1,185 girls (47.8 %
Caucasian) to examine the relationships between pubertal timing, childhood depressive symptoms, and adolescent depressive
symptomatology. Using multiple linear regression analyses, our results suggest that higher levels of childhood depressive
symptoms and earlier menarche have independent effects on adolescent depressive symptoms. Surprisingly, childhood depressive
symptomatology predicted later age of menarche, although the magnitude of this effect was small. Taken together, the results suggest that early childhood
depressive symptoms and early menarche represent independent pathways to later depressive symptoms.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Empirical Research
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s10964-012-9758-7
- Authors
- Sarah R. Black, Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11790, USA
- Daniel N. Klein, Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11790, USA
- Journal Journal of Youth and Adolescence
- Online ISSN 1573-6601
- Print ISSN 0047-2891