Age of menarche and psychosocial outcomes in a new zealand birth cohort

Abstract

Objective This study examined associations between age of menarche and psychosocial outcomes in early adulthood, including sexual behavior, mental health, criminal behavior, and education/employment, to identify the possible causal role of earlier age of menarche in increasing risks of adverse outcomes. Method Data were gathered from 497 female members of a New Zealand longitudinal birth cohort. Outcome measures (to age 18 years) were as follows: pregnancy; sexually transmitted infection (STI); DSM-IV major depression, anxiety disorder, alcohol dependence and conduct disorder/ASPD; self-reported crime; convictions; leaving school without qualifications; and unemployment. Associations between age of menarche and outcome measures were then adjusted for confounding factors spanning family background, family functioning, and individual factors. Additional analyses examined sexual behavior outcomes to age 21, and all other outcomes to age 30 years. Results Analyses showed that sexual behavior outcomes (pregnancy, STI) were significantly associated with age of menarche, even after controlling for confounding factors. Anxiety disorder was marginally (p