Depression, Anxiety, and Pubertal Timing: Current Research and Future Directions

Abstract

Thecurrentreviewsynthesizestheliteratureregardingtheeffectsofearlyandlate pubertal timing on adolescent depression and anxiety. Early pubertal timing has beenconsistentlyshowntoincreasetheriskofdepressionandanxietyinadolescents, particularlyadolescentgirls.Latepubertaltiminghasyieldedmoremixedresults, with some research suggesting an increased risk of depression and anxiety in adolescent boys, indicating the need for future research specifically examining potentiallatepubertaltimingeffectsonadolescentmentalhealthdisorders.Future research should examine the interactions between pubertal timing and pubertal status,aswellasfocusondiversifyingsamplestoexplorethepubertalexperiences ofmanydifferentgroups,suchasadolescentboys,low-SESadolescents,racialand ethnicminorities,andLGBTQ+adolescents.