How is early or late adolescent pubertal timing assessed? What are the primary research

findings regarding early maturing adolescents?  Are problematic outcomes guaranteed in
these young women? Provide a justification for your response.

What will be an ideal response?

Early or late pubertal timing can be assessed via physician exam, or by asking
adolescents to indicate if they feel they matured earlier or later than their peers. Early
maturing females, at least in this society, appear to be at more risk for earlier sexual
activity, as well as mood and self-esteem problems than their peers. However, newer
research suggests there are variables that moderate the relationship between early
maturation and adjustment problems in these young women. For instance, family
support or even the school context may explain this relationship. In one study,
researchers documented that early maturing girls that went to "cliquish" schools had
more problems then their counterparts that went to other schools.