Links Between Pubertal Timing, Peer Influences, and Externalizing Behaviors Among Urban Students Followed Through Middle School

Overview

Journal J Adolesc Health

Publisher Elsevier

Specialty Pediatrics

Date 2007 Jan 30

PMID 17259062

Citations 36

Authors

Sarah D Lynne

Julia A Graber

Tracy R Nichols

Jeanne Brooks-Gunn

Gilbert J Botvin

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate underlying mechanisms of the association between early pubertal timing and both aggression and delinquency among a sample of minority males and females from an urban community.

Methods: The association between perceived early pubertal maturation and aggressive or delinquent behaviors for African American and Latino males and females (n = 1366) was examined, as well as pathways between early maturation and these negative outcomes longitudinally across 6th, 7th, and 8th grades.

Results: Early maturers reported higher mean levels of both aggression and delinquency at all time points regardless of gender or ethnicity. Associating with delinquent peers in 6th grade fully mediated the association between early maturation and both aggression and delinquency at all time points. Early maturers did not differentially associate with greater numbers of delinquent peers in either 7th or 8th grade.

Conclusions: These results provide valuable information regarding at-risk groups and inform future intervention efforts.

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