scholarly journals Earlier age at menarche as a transdiagnostic mechanism linking childhood trauma with multiple forms of psychopathology in adolescent girls

2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (7) ◽  
pp. 1090-1098 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie L. Colich ◽  
Jonathan M. Platt ◽  
Katherine M. Keyes ◽  
Jennifer A. Sumner ◽  
Nicholas B. Allen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adolescent Girls ◽  
Pubertal Timing ◽  
Adolescent Psychopathology ◽  
Pubertal Development ◽  
Externalizing Disorders ◽  
Age At Menarche ◽  
Multiple Forms ◽  
Early Life Adversity ◽  
Early Maturation ◽  
Nationally Representative

AbstractBackgroundAlthough early life adversity (ELA) increases risk for psychopathology, mechanisms linking ELA with the onset of psychopathology remain poorly understood. Conceptual models have argued that ELA accelerates development. It is unknown whether all forms of ELA are associated with accelerated development or whether early maturation is a potential mechanism linking ELA with psychopathology. We examine whether two distinct dimensions of ELA – threat and deprivation – have differential associations with pubertal timing in girls, and evaluate whether accelerated pubertal timing is a mechanism linking ELA with the onset of adolescent psychopathology.MethodsData were drawn from a large, nationally representative sample of 4937 adolescent girls. Multiple forms of ELA characterized by threat and deprivation were assessed along with age at menarche (AAM) and the onset of DSM-IV fear, distress, externalizing, and eating disorders.ResultsGreater exposure to threat was associated with earlier AAM (B = −0.1, p = 0.001). Each 1-year increase in AAM was associated with reduced odds of fear, distress, and externalizing disorders post-menarche (ORs = 0.74–0.85). Earlier AAM significantly mediated the association between exposure to threat and post-menarche onset of distress (proportion mediated = 6.2%), fear (proportion mediated = 16.3%), and externalizing disorders (proportion mediated = 2.9%).ConclusionsAccelerated pubertal development in girls may be one transdiagnostic pathway through which threat-related experiences confer risk for the adolescent onset of mental disorders. Early pubertal maturation is a marker that could be used in both medical and mental health settings to identify trauma-exposed youth that are at risk for developing a mental disorder during adolescence in order to better target early interventions.

scholarly journals Early Life Adversity and Pubertal Timing: Implications for Cardiometabolic Health

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria E Bleil ◽  
Susan J Spieker ◽  
Steven E Gregorich ◽  
Alexis S Thomas ◽  
Robert A Hiatt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Life ◽  
Pubertal Timing ◽  
Pubertal Development ◽  
Pubic Hair ◽  
Cardiometabolic Health ◽  
Age At Menarche ◽  
Early Life Adversity ◽  
Child Attachment ◽  
Related Risk ◽  
Hair Development

Abstract Objective  To identify early life adversity (ELA) risk factors for earlier pubertal timing, itself a risk factor for poor cardiometabolic health, and to determine whether such ELA-related risk may be mediated by pre-pubertal body mass index (BMI). Methods  Subjects included 426 female participants in a prospective birth cohort study, the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development. Survival analysis models were fit to examine ELA exposures, representing childhood socioeconomic status (SES), maternal sensitivity, mother–child attachment, and negative life events, along with child health indicators and covariates, in relation to pubertal timing outcomes, including age at menarche and ages at Tanner stage II for breast and pubic hair development. Results  Higher childhood SES emerged as an independent predictor of older age at menarche, showing each one standard deviation increase in childhood SES corresponded to a 1.3% increase in age at menarche (factor change = 1.013; 1.003–1.022; p < .01), but did not predict breast or pubic hair development (ps > .05). In mediation analyses, indirect (mediated) effects of mother–child attachment on the pubertal timing outcomes, via pre-pubertal BMI, were all statistically significant (ps < .05). Conclusions  Higher childhood SES predicted directly, and secure (vs. insecure) mother–child attachment predicted indirectly (via pre-pubertal BMI), later pubertal timing, suggesting these factors may protect girls from earlier pubertal development. By extension, clinical implications are that intervention strategies designed to lessen ELA- and pre-pubertal obesity-related risk may be effective in remediating life course pathways linking ELA, accelerated pubertal development, and cardiometabolic risk.

Perceived pubertal timing and borderline personality pathology in female adolescent inpatients

2018 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-170
Author(s):  
Francesca Penner ◽  
Carla Sharp
Keyword(s):  
Pubertal Timing ◽  
Adolescent Psychopathology ◽  
Pubertal Development ◽  
Externalizing Disorders ◽  
Borderline Personality ◽  
Female Adolescent ◽  
Personality Pathology ◽  
Early Pubertal Timing ◽  
Adolescent Inpatients ◽  
Internalizing And Externalizing

Borderline personality pathology typically onsets during adolescence. An important consideration in understanding adolescent psychopathology is pubertal development. Perceived pubertal timing is one facet of puberty that is especially relevant to adolescent psychopathology, especially when timing is perceived to be early. Despite links between early pubertal timing and core features of borderline personality disorder, and between early pubertal timing and disruptions in the interpersonal context, perceived pubertal timing has yet to be studied in relation to adolescent borderline pathology. This preliminary study aimed to test the association between perceived pubertal timing and borderline symptoms in adolescent girls, controlling for internalizing and externalizing pathology. Forty-two female adolescent inpatients (ages 12–15, Mage = 14.02, 81% White) completed measures of perceived pubertal development and borderline symptoms and a diagnostic interview. Results indicated that earlier perceived pubertal timing was uniquely associated with higher borderline symptoms even when internalizing and externalizing disorders were covaried.

scholarly journals Childhood growth and development and DNA methylation age in mid-life

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Maddock ◽  
Juan Castillo-Fernandez ◽  
Andrew Wong ◽  
George B. Ploubidis ◽  
Diana Kuh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Growth And Development ◽  
Linear Growth ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Pubertal Timing ◽  
Pubertal Development ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease Risk ◽  
Relative Weight ◽  
Late Childhood ◽  
Age At Menarche

Abstract Background In the first study of its kind, we examine the association between growth and development in early life and DNAm age biomarkers in mid-life. Methods Participants were from the Medical Research Council National Survey of Health and Development (n = 1376). Four DNAm age acceleration (AgeAccel) biomarkers were measured when participants were aged 53 years: AgeAccelHannum; AgeAccelHorvath; AgeAccelLevine; and AgeAccelGrim. Exposure variables included: relative weight gain (standardised residuals from models of current weight z-score on current height, and previous weight and height z-scores); and linear growth (standardised residuals from models of current height z-score on previous height and weight z-scores) during infancy (0–2 years, weight gain only), early childhood (2–4 years), middle childhood (4–7 years) and late childhood to adolescence (7–15 years); age at menarche; and pubertal stage for men at 14–15 years. The relationship between relative weight gain and linear growth and AgeAccel was investigated using conditional growth models. We replicated analyses from the late childhood to adolescence period and pubertal timing among 240 participants from The National Child and Development Study (NCDS). Results A 1SD increase in relative weight gain in late childhood to adolescence was associated with 0.50 years (95% CI 0.20, 0.79) higher AgeAccelGrim. Although the CI includes the null, the estimate was similar in NCDS [0.57 years (95% CI − 0.01, 1.16)] There was no strong evidence that relative weight gain and linear growth in childhood was associated with any other AgeAccel biomarker. There was no relationship between pubertal timing in men and AgeAccel biomarkers. Women who reached menarche ≥ 12 years had 1.20 years (95% CI 0.15, 2.24) higher AgeAccelGrim on average than women who reached menarche < 12 years; however, this was not replicated in NCDS and was not statistically significant after Bonferroni correction. Conclusions Our findings generally do not support an association between growth and AgeAccel biomarkers in mid-life. However, we found rapid weight gain during pubertal development, previously related to higher cardiovascular disease risk, to be associated with older AgeAccelGrim. Given this is an exploratory study, this finding requires replication.

scholarly journals Emotional Reaction to Menarche and Menstrual Attitudes

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-38
Author(s):  
Sandra Nakić Radoš ◽  
◽  
Roberta Jelić ◽  
Đurđica Jurjević ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adolescent Girls ◽  
Pubertal Development ◽  
Emotional Reaction ◽  
Age At Menarche ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Attitude Questionnaire ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Menstrual Attitudes ◽  
Variance Explained

The goal of this study was to examine current attitudes toward menstruation in adolescent postmenarcheal girls in relation to age at menarche, time since menarche had occurred, preparedness, and emotional reaction to menarche. Postmenarcheal adolescent girls from primary and secondary schools (N = 246) participated in the study, with an average age of 15.1 years and average age at menarche 12.4 years. Participants filled out the adapted version of Adolescent Menstrual Attitude Questionnaire (AMAQ; Marvan & Molina, 2002), Expected/Experienced Emotions related to Menarche Scale (Emo-M; Nakić Radoš, Mužinić Bikić, & Roso Perić, in press), Preparedness for the Menarche (PM; Rodriguez White, 2013), and Pubertal Development Scale (PDS; Petersen, Crockett, Richards, & Boxer, 1988). The two-way ANOVA showed that early maturers (≤11 years at menarche) had significantly higher level of negative attitudes than average maturers (12 years) and late maturers (≥13 years). Both early and average maturers had a higher level of secretive attitudes than late maturers. However, this effect was present only if menarche occurred in less than two years. Regression analyses showed that higher level of pleasant emotions at menarche predicted higher level of positive attitudes toward menstruation (45.2% variance explained). Lower age at menarche, less time from the menarche, and a higher level of unpleasant emotions at menarche predicted higher levels of secretive attitudes (35.1% variance explained) and negative attitudes (22.7% variance explained). In conclusion, age at menarche, time for adaptation to menstruation, and initial emotional reaction to menarche are significant determinants of menstrual attitudes in adolescent girls. Education and preparing girls for menstruation at early stages of puberty is necessary. Keywords: menarche, menstruation, attitudes, emotions, puberty

Infection and pubertal timing: a systematic review

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 636-651 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. McDonald ◽  
S. M. Eng ◽  
O. O. Dina ◽  
C. M. Schooling ◽  
M. B. Terry
Keyword(s):  
Psychosocial Adjustment ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Pubertal Timing ◽  
Pubertal Development ◽  
Pubic Hair ◽  
Population Characteristics ◽  
Breast Development ◽  
Age At Menarche ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Hair Development

The decline in age of pubertal timing has serious public health implications ranging from psychosocial adjustment problems to a possible increase in reproductive cancers. One biologically plausible explanation for the decline is a decrease in exposures to infections. To systematically review studies that assess the role of infection in pubertal timing, Medline, Web of Science and EMBASE were systematically searched and retrieved studies were reviewed for eligibility. Eligible studies examined the association between infections, including microbial exposures, and physical pubertal characteristics (breast, genitalia and pubic hair development) or age at menarche. We excluded studies that were published in a language other than English, focused on precocious puberty, were case studies, and/or included youth with autoimmune diseases. We report on study design, population characteristics, measurement of infection and puberty and the main effects of infection on pubertal development. Based on our search terms we identified 1372 unique articles, of which only 15 human and five animal studies met our eligibility criteria. Not all studies examined all outcomes. Infection was associated with later breast development (4/4 human studies), with less consistent evidence for genitalia and pubic hair development. Seven studies assessed age at menarche with inconsistent findings (three supporting later, four no association). We conclude that a small but consistent literature supports that infection is associated with later breast development; the evidence for other pubertal events and age at menarche is less clear. Where fewer childhood infections coincide with the rise in incidence of hormone-related cancers.

scholarly journals Multi-method assessment of pubertal timing and associations with internalizing psychopathology in early adolescent girls

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marjolein Barendse ◽  
Michelle L Byrne ◽  
John Coleman Flournoy ◽  
Elizabeth A. McNeilly ◽  
Victoria Guazzelli Williamson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adolescent Girls ◽  
Pubertal Timing ◽  
Pubertal Development ◽  
Tanner Stage ◽  
Early Adolescent ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Clinical Interviews ◽  
Line Drawings ◽  
Internalizing Psychopathology ◽  
Dsm Iv

Objective: Early pubertal timing has consistently been associated with internalizing psychopathology in adolescent girls. Here, we aimed to examine whether the association between timing and mental health outcomes varies by measurement of pubertal timing and internalizing psychopathology, differs between adrenarcheal and gonadarcheal processes, and is stronger concurrently or prospectively. Methods: We assessed 174 female adolescents (age 10.0-13.0 at Time 1) twice, with an 18-month interval. Participants provided self-reported assessments of depression/anxiety symptoms and pubertal development, subjective pubertal timing, and date of menarche. Their parents/guardians also reported on the adolescent’s pubertal development and subjective pubertal timing. We assessed salivary DHEA, testosterone and estradiol levels, and conducted clinical interviews to determine the presence of case level (DSM-IV and HiTOP) internalizing disorders. From these data, we computed 12 measures of pubertal timing at both time points, as well as 7 measures of internalizing psychopathology, and entered these in a Specification Curve Analysis. Results and Conclusion: Overall, earlier pubertal timing was associated with increased internalizing psychopathology cross-sectionally and prospectively. However, results varied by measure of pubertal timing and psychopathology, with the strongest associations when pubertal timing was based on the Tanner Stage Line Drawings and when the outcome was case-level DSM-IV depression or HiTOP distress disorders. Timing based on hormone levels was not associated with internalizing psychopathology, suggesting that psychosocial mechanisms, captured by timing measures of visible physical characteristics, are more meaningful determinants of internalizing psychopathology than biological ones in early adolescent girls. Future research should precisely measure and test these psychosocial mechanisms.

scholarly journals Pubertal development and risk of premenstrual disorders in young adulthood

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donghao Lu ◽  
Jurate Aleknaviciute ◽  
Ragnar Bjarnason ◽  
Rulla M Tamimi ◽  
Unnur A Valdimarsdóttir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adulthood ◽  
Lower Risk ◽  
Pubertal Timing ◽  
Pubertal Development ◽  
Pubic Hair ◽  
Premenstrual Symptom ◽  
Age At Menarche ◽  
Z Score ◽  
Premenstrual Symptoms ◽  
Timing Of Menarche

Abstract STUDY QUESTION Is pubertal timing associated with risk of premenstrual disorders (PMDs) in young adulthood? SUMMARY ANSWER Late pubertal development is associated with decreased premenstrual symptom burden and risk of PMDs in young adulthood. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY PMDs, including premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder, may begin during the teenage years. Few risk factors in early life have been identified for PMD development. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A prospective cohort study of 6495 female participants during 1996–2013. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS We included participants from the Growing Up Today Study (GUTS). Pubertal development was indicated by the timing of menarche, breast and pubic hair growth. Self-reported age at menarche was longitudinally assessed at enrollment (in 1996/2004 for GUTS I/II) and onwards, and classified as early (age ≤ mean − SD, 11.64 years), normative and late menarche (age ≥ mean + SD, 13.95 years). Timing of pubic hair and breast growth were assessed multiple times during follow-up via Tanner scales, and classified into early, normative and late development according to mean ± SD. Using a validated questionnaire based on the Calendar of Premenstrual Experiences, we assessed premenstrual symptoms and identified probable cases of PMDs in 2013. We examined the associations of timing of pubertal development with premenstrual symptom score and disorders using multivariable linear and logistic regressions, respectively. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE In 2013 (mean age = 26), 1001 (15.4%) individuals met criteria for a PMD. An inverse association was found between age at menarche and premenstrual symptom z-score (β −0.05 per year, 95% CI −0.07 to −0.03) and risk of PMDs (odds ratio (OR) 0.93 per year, 95% CI 0.88 to 0.99). Compared to individuals with normative menarche, individuals with late menarche had a lower risk of PMDs (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.59 to 0.91), while individuals with early menarche had comparable odds (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.81 to 1.18). Moreover, early growth of pubic hair was associated with increased premenstrual symptoms (z-score β 0.09 per year, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.17) and PMD risk (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.56), independent of age at menarche. No associations were noted for breast development. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION One major limitation is some misclassification of menarche due to recall. We, however, showed robust association among participants who were premenarcheal at baseline. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Our findings suggest that pubertal timing, particularly timing of menarche, is inversely associated with the risk of developing premenstrual symptoms in young adulthood, and that women with later menarche have significantly lower risk of PMDs. Information on PMDs should be provided to teenage girls and their parents. If these findings are confirmed in independent populations, prevention strategies and early detection programs may be considered for women with early pubertal development. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) The work is supported by the National Institutes of Health and Swedish Research Council. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A

Health professions students demonstrate limited knowledge of health risks associated with early menarche

2019 ◽  
Vol 79 (4) ◽  
pp. 446-457
Author(s):  
Chelsea N Henderson ◽  
Jeannine Clunk Lawrence ◽  
Crystal Clark Douglas
Keyword(s):  
Health Risks ◽  
Curriculum Design ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Pubertal Timing ◽  
Pubertal Development ◽  
Health Professions ◽  
Health Sciences ◽  
Age At Menarche ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Early Menarche

Objective: The documented decline in age at menarche is concerning as early pubertal development presents immediate and long-term health risks. Menarcheal timing is influenced by environmental factors, necessitating the importance of increased education within the health sciences curricula. This study examined health professions students’ awareness and knowledge of menarche, including factors that influence age at menarche and the health risks associated with early menarche (⩽11 years). Design: A mixed retrospective/prospective analysis using an on-line survey was employed to explore student knowledge. Setting: A public university in USA. Methods: Students enrolled in a general nutrition course at a US university were invited to complete a survey during class time. Pearson correlations were used to assess relationships among variables. Independent-samples t-tests compared knowledge to identify differences by gender and race, and χ2 tests compared frequency of correct knowledge answers according to race. Results: Participants included 126 students (88% female, 50% Caucasian), the majority (90%) of whom were enrolled in health sciences programmes. Nearly 25% of female participants reported early menarche; yet, reported age at menarche was not related to knowledge ( r = –.056, n = 110, p > .05). Future health risks of early menarche were correctly identified by 16.7% of participants, all women. Knowledge of menarche differed according to race ( p < .05). Conclusion: Discovery of knowledge gaps in this population may improve curriculum design and, ultimately, better prepare students for a future in health care. Future clinicians may benefit from training that addresses factors that influence pubertal timing and familiarises them with the health risks associated with earlier menarche. There is a need for knowledgeable and skilled health workers, which is why the inclusion of this subject in the preservice training curriculum is important.

Does puberty affect the development of behavior problems as a mediator, moderator, or unique predictor?

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 1473-1485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriene M. Beltz ◽  
Robin P. Corley ◽  
Sally J. Wadsworth ◽  
Lisabeth F. DiLalla ◽  
Sheri A. Berenbaum
Keyword(s):  
Behavior Problems ◽  
Externalizing Behavior ◽  
Pubertal Timing ◽  
Adolescent Behavior ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Age At Menarche ◽  
Early Maturation ◽  
Adolescent Behavior Problems ◽  
Childhood Problems ◽  
Unique Predictor

AbstractPubertal timing matters for psychological development. Early maturation in girls is linked to risk for depression and externalizing problems in adolescence and possibly adulthood, and early and late maturation in boys are linked to depression. It is unclear whether pubertal timing uniquely predicts problems; it might instead mediate the continuity of behavior problems from childhood to adolescence or create psychological risk specifically in youth with existing problems, thus moderating the link. We investigated these issues in 534 girls and 550 boys, measuring pubertal timing by a logistic model fit to annual self-report measures of development and, in girls, age at menarche. Prepuberty internalizing and externalizing behavior problems were reported by parents. Adolescent behavior problems were reported by parents and youth. As expected, behavior problems were moderately stable. Pubertal timing was not predicted by childhood problems, so it did not mediate the continuity of behavior problems from childhood to adolescence. Pubertal timing did not moderate links between early and later problems for girls. For boys, early maturation accentuated the link between childhood problems and adolescent substance use. Overall, the replicated links between puberty and behavior problems appear to reflect the unique effects of puberty and child behavior problems on the development of adolescent behavior problems.

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