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Pubertal Development: Correspondence Between Hormonal and Physical Development
Author(s) -
Shirtcliff Elizabeth A.,
Dahl Ronald E.,
Pollak Seth D.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
child development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.103
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1467-8624
pISSN - 0009-3920
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2009.01263.x
Subject(s) - hormone , testosterone (patch) , psychology , basal (medicine) , developmental psychology , physical development , gonadal hormones , dehydroepiandrosterone , gonadal steroid hormones , physiology , medicine , endocrinology , androgen , castration , steroid , insulin
Puberty is advanced by sex hormones, yet it is not clear how it is best measured. The interrelation of multiple indices of puberty was examined, including the Pubertal Development Scale (PDS), a picture‐based interview about puberty (PBIP), and a physical exam. These physical pubertal measures were then associated with basal hormones responsible for advancing puberty. Participants included 160 early adolescents (82 boys). Puberty indices were highly correlated with each other. The physical exam stages correlated well with boys’ and girls’ testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone and less so with girls’ estradiol. The PDS and PBIP were similarly related to basal hormones. Self‐report may be adequate when precise agreement is unnecessary. Multiple measures of puberty are viable options, each with respective strengths.