Comparison of the Somatic and Psychosexual Maturation in Menarcheal and Nonmenarcheal Girls

Abstract

This study reports on the relation between somatic and psychosexual development in 911 urban girls age 8 to 17 years. Subjects were examined by anthropometric and questionnaire methods. We compared the variability of somatic proportions and indexes in two groups of girls at the same age, but with different levels of maturation (menarcheal vs nonmenarcheal). We also assessed their attitudes and knowledge in spheres of sexuality, partners, and matrimonial relationships. We observed that menarcheal girls differed significantly for several anthropometrical values (body weight, sitting height, gluteal circumference, arm circumference) for some age groups, and we recorded significant differences in values of some indexes (Quetelet-Bouchard, Pignet-Vervaek, BMI). The psychosexual development of the girls was assessed by the questionnaire method. The girls were asked to explain various terms. The main aim of our questionnaire was to detect the existence of a relationship between somatic and psychosexual development, whether knowledge of menarcheal girls is more advanced than knowledge of nonmenarcheal girls. Our results show that although there is a significant somatic distinction between menarcheal and nonmenarcheal girls, we are not able to unambiguously state that menarcheal girls are more psychosexually developed.