Ethnic differences in the association between pubertal status and symptoms of depression in adolescent girls JOURNAL OF ADOLESCENT HEALTH Hayward, C., Gotlib, I. H., Schraedley, P. K., Litt, I. F. 1999; 25 (2): 143-149

Abstract

To examine the importance of chronologic age versus pubertal status in predicting adolescent girls' depressive symptoms in different ethnic groups.A national probability sample was used to obtain a representative cohort of 3216 adolescents, 5th through 8th grades. Subjects completed a questionnaire, which included a modified version of the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) and an assessment of timing of menarche.Among Caucasians, post-menarcheal adolescent girls had higher depression scores than did same-aged pre-menarcheal girls. Boys and pre-menarcheal girls had similar depression scores in most age groups. Among African-Americans and Hispanics, there were no menarche-associated differences in depressive symptoms.In early adolescence pubertal status is a better predictor of depressive symptoms than chronological age in Caucasian, but not African-American or Hispanic girls.

View details for Web of Science ID 000081723700008

View details for PubMedID 10447041