Early pubertal development and deviant behavior: A three-year longitudinal study among early adolescents

Abstract

According to a life history perspective, deviant behaviors are predicted by fast life history strategies and early sexual maturation is considered a marker of the underlying fast life history strategy. The aim of the present three-year longitudinal study was to investigate the influence of early pubertal maturation on deviant behaviors among early adolescents. A sample of Italian early adolescents (n = 614; 51% were male participants) completed a survey questionnaire three times, in the second term of their first (Mage = 11.31, SD = 0.49), second, and third middle school grades. Using a parallel process latent growth curve model, the results revealed that baseline levels of early pubertal development did not predict change over time in deviant behavior. In addition, the rate of change of pubertal maturation did not predict change over time in deviant behavior. Finally, we found that the relationship between the rate of change of pubertal maturation and change over time in deviant behavior is moderated by baseline levels of deviant behavior. Overall, findings suggest that the notion of a direct relationship between early pubertal maturation and deviant behavior among early adolescents, in general, is not supported.