The Role of Puberty and Hormones in Psychopathology Symptoms Severity and Directionality in Male Adolescents across Development

Abstract

Externalizing and internalizing psychopathology affect both male and female adolescents; however, symptoms tend to present differently according to gender. Internalizing symptoms in particular may go undetected in males, although internalizing and externalizing symptoms often co-occur. We investigated the role of puberty and hormones in males on the development of symptom severity (overall behavior problems) and directionality (preponderance of internalizing vs. externalizing symptoms) from middle childhood to early adolescence. At time 1, mean age was 7.44 years (SD = 0.96, N = 1711), time 2 M age = 13.16 years, SD = 1.26, N = 348, and time 3 M age = 14 years, SD = 1.34, N = 387. Data on Tanner staging, the Pubertal Development Scale, pubertal hormones [dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), testosterone], and a range of internalizing and externalizing symptom measures were collected. Growth curve models examined the role of pubertal status, timing, and hormones on male adolescents’ symptom severity trajectory and symptom preponderance (directionality). Earlier pubertal timing predicted higher symptom severity (p=0.004). As they aged, while controlling for puberty, adolescents showed a preponderance of externalizing symptoms (p=0.042). High DHEA level was associated with lowered symptom severity (p=0.031), while high testosterone level was associated with elevated symptom severity (p=0.009) and showed a preponderance of externalizing symptoms (p=0.044). Findings suggest that some male adolescents are more vulnerable to changes during puberty and as they matured. Future research is needed to investigate risk factors that put some male adolescents at more risk for increasing psychopathology symptoms across development.