Longitudinal Associations of Pubertal Timing and Tempo With Adolescent Mental Health and Risk Behavior Initiation in Urban South Africa.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

In high-income countries, early and rapid pubertal development is consistently associated with poor adjustment and increased risk behavior in adolescence. This study contributes to the meager knowledge of these associations in lower income countries.

Methods

We used longitudinal data from 1,784 urban black South Africans in the Birth to Twenty Plus cohort. We used regression analyses to assess associations between age at menarche and latent classes of pubertal timing and tempo and adolescent internalizing and externalizing emotional and behavioral problems, eating attitudes, and patterns of health risk behavior initiation.

Results

Relatively earlier and faster pubertal timing and tempo were associated with increased health risk behavior initiation (e.g., adjus

SUBMITTER: Kowalski AJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8253008 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature