Sex differences in the contribution of puberty to depression: The role of other-sex relationship stress
Llewellyn, Nicole M.
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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/16925
Description
Title
Sex differences in the contribution of puberty to depression: The role of other-sex relationship stress
Author(s)
Llewellyn, Nicole M.
Issue Date
2010-08-20T18:02:06Z
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Rudolph, Karen D.
Roisman, Glenn I.
Department of Study
Psychology
Discipline
Psychology
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
M.A.
Degree Level
Thesis
Keyword(s)
puberty
depression
other-sex stress
Abstract
Research suggests that the pubertal transition, particularly when experienced early relative to peers, is associated with heightened depression in girls but less depression in boys. This study examined whether exposure to stress within other-sex relationships serves as one process through which puberty differentially contributes to depression for girls and boys. Youth (51 girls; 34 boys; M age = 12.68, SD = 1.28) and their caregivers reported on pubertal status and age of menarche for postmenarcheal girls. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to assess youths’ depression and exposure to romantic and platonic other-sex stress. As anticipated, more advanced status and earlier timing were associated with more depression in girls and less depression in boys. More advanced status and earlier timing were associated with less other-sex stress in boys, whereas earlier age of menarche was associated with more other-sex stress in girls. Other-sex stress partially mediated the association between earlier age of menarche and depression in girls, suggesting one process through which puberty is linked to risk for depression in girls.
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