Pubertal timing and its link to behavioral and emotional problems among ‘at-risk’ African American adolescent girls

Using an ‘at-risk’ sample of African American girls, the present study examined the link between girlsʹ retrospective reports of pubertal timing, girlsʹ perceived relative pubertal timing, and their behavioral and emotional problems as rated by the girls themselves (N = 102; 11–17 years), as well as teachers and parents. Structural equation modeling results indicated that the girlsʹ retrospective reports of menarche were significantly related to their perceived relative menarche, whereas the girlsʹ retrospective reports of development of their breasts were not related to their perceived relative development of breasts. Girls who perceived their breasts developing early relative to their peers were more likely to engage in delinquent behaviors according to teacher report. Significant effects of teacher reported adolescent internalizing problems also were found for girls who retrospectively reported either early or late development of breasts. The studyʹs findings underscore the importance of teasing apart the effects of different indicators of girlsʹ pubertal development on psychosocial adjustment and including teachersʹ reports of girlsʹ emotional and behavioral problems, particularly among girls with the additional risks associated with residing in an economically disadvantaged urban setting.