Pubertal Development Levels Research Articles

In their own words: Finding meaning in girls' experiences of puberty.

The present study pairs narrative meaning-making with topic modeling to richly capture how girls choose to describe their experiences of change during puberty and to establish how these narratives map onto depressive symptoms. Participants (N=125 girls; Mage =11.61 years; 90.40% White) wrote about changes during puberty and reported their level of pubertal development, relationships, and mood. The relationship between meaning-making and depressive symptoms was negatively moderated by early pubertal timing (d=.31) and positively moderated by more advanced pubertal status (d=.36). Exploratory analyses indicated that writing proportionally more about menstruation-related changes had a small effect on subsequent depressive symptoms (f2 =.12). Results provide a conceptual and methodological update to decades-old, landmark qualitative findings on girls' perceptions and assessments of experiences at puberty.

Risk for social anxiety in early adolescence: Longitudinal impact of pubertal development, appearance comparisons, and peer connections.

ObjectivesThe aims of this study were to determine the impact of adolescent-relevant risk factors on changes in social anxiety symptoms from pre-to early-adolescence. MethodsFrom 2016 to 2018, 528 youth (51% boys) were tested in three annual waves across grades 6, 7, and 8 (M ages 11.2, 12.7, 13.7 years). Through online surveys youth reported on peer relationships that were combined into two latent factors: 1) appearance comparisons, comprising youth reports of appearance comparisons relative to others in general and while using social media, along with perceived attractiveness; and 2) positive peer connections, comprising youth reports of group affiliation, school belonging, and peer victimisation. Youth and their parents also reported on the youth's level of pubertal development as well as the youth's level of social anxiety using previously validated questionnaires. Social anxiety was also assessed with structured diagnostic interview. ResultsSeparate cross-lagged panel models were used to model longitudinal associations between all risk factors and youth, parent, and interviewer-reported measures of social anxiety. Of the associations tested, only appearance comparisons directly predicted increases in social anxiety symptoms 12 months later across all models. More advanced pubertal development was associated with increased appearance comparisons the following year. On the other hand, higher levels of social anxiety predicted subsequent reductions in positive peer connections in parent and interviewer models. ConclusionsThese results highlight the important and interconnected impact of pubertal development and appearance comparisons on both the development of social anxiety symptoms during early adolescence, as well as the social consequences of social anxiety.

Agency, communion, and pubertal status: Separating between- and within-person associations to examine social goals development.

Agentic (status/independence) and communal (acceptance/connectedness) social goals are thought to shape how adolescents transact with their social environments. Despite their theoretical importance, little work has focused on the development of these higher order personality dimensions. Informed by developmental neuroscience and evolutionary psychology theoretical frameworks, the current study examined associations between pubertal status, a person's level of pubertal development at a single point in time, and agentic and communal social goals across early to middle adolescence. This longitudinal study consisted of 387 (55% female) adolescents (Wave 1M age=12.1) who were assessed annually across three waves. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to examine growth in pubertal status and agentic and communal goals and to distinguish between- and within-person associations between pubertal status and social goals. Within-person pubertal status was concurrently associated with higher levels of agentic and communal goals. In the cross-sectional and longitudinal models, between-person pubertal status was associated with higher levels of agentic social goals. No support was found for social goals prospectively predicting pubertal status. These findings provide support for the hypothesis that puberty, in part, may drive developmental shifts in the value adolescents place on close peer relationships and obtaining status and independence.

Influence of Biological Maturity on the Muscular Strength of Young Male and Female Swimmers.

The present study compared the evolution of strength and muscle mass in swimmers of both sexes across different chronological and biological ages. Seventy-six swimmers (55 males and 21 females) from 10 to 20 years of age underwent evaluations of sexual maturation using the developmental stage of the genitals (G1, G2, G3 G4 and G5) and pubic hair (P1, P2, P3, P4 and P5) (Tanner criteria), lean mass using the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry method, and isokinetic strength of the knee extensor muscles. Boys did not present a significant difference in strength among G1, G2, and G3 (p > 0.05) nor between 10 and 13 years of age (p > 0.05), although significant differences in strength of the extensor (p = 0.038) muscles of the knee were found between G3 and G4 and between athletes of 10 and 14 years of age (extensor muscles, p = 0.033). Muscle mass was different between G3 and G4 (p = 0.003) and between 10 and 14 years of age (p = 0.020). The mean age of boys in the G4 pubertal stage was 13.7 ± 2.0 years, although from 12 to 16 years of age, boys are typically in the G4 stage. Girls showed no significant differences in strength nor muscle mass among the pubertal stages (p > 0.05). We conclude that by equating boys by chronological age, individuals with different pubertal development levels, muscle mass, and strength levels can be grouped. Therefore, the relationship between the level of pubertal deve-lopment and chronological age seems to be a useful strategy for grouping boys, while grouping girls by chronological age seems adequate for training and competition.

Psychological Distress amid Change: Role Disruption in Girls during the Adolescent Transition.

The present study investigates the underlying cognitive, social, and behavioral tendencies that may explain why some girls are more likely to perceive the adolescent transition as disrupting and difficult, otherwise characterized as role disruption. It was hypothesized that individual differences in rumination, rejection sensitivity, peer problems, and pubertal status would contribute to why some girls perceived more role disruption during the transition from childhood to adolescence, and that girls who reported more role disruption would be at increased risk for subsequent depression. N = 188 girls (Mage = 11.70years) reported on their level of pubertal development, rumination, rejection sensitivity, peer problems, and depressive symptoms at three time points approximately 4months apart. Structural equation modeling results suggested that baseline levels of rumination and angry rejection sensitivity explained perceptions of role disruption at Time 2 more than overall levels of pubertal development, and that greater role disruption predicted subsequent depressive symptoms at Time 3. These findings highlight the importance of individual tendencies in understanding who will find early adolescence challenging.

Assessment of impact of nutritional status on pubertal development in adolescent girls of two senior secondary schools of Dehradun and to correct pubertal disorders by adolescent health counseling and adequate pharmacological intervention

Background: Adolescence is a transitional stage of physical and psychological development that occurs during the period from onset of puberty to adulthood. Adolescent nutrition is crucial for proper growth and development and a prerequisite for achieving full development potential. Aims and Objectives: The objectives of the study were as follows: (1) To find out the gross nutritional status in girl students of two senior secondary schools in Dehradun, (2) to assess the level of pubertal development in them, (3) to find out correlation of nutritional status (body mass index, BMI) with pubertal development and physical activity, and (4) to do counseling on adolescent health and pharmacological intervention as needed. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was undertaken among 200 adolescent girls of two senior secondary schools of Dehradun. They were of 12-18 year age group studying in class VI to XII. The sample was selected by systematic random sampling Their physical examination (weight & height ) was done to calculate BMI & pubertal assessment was done by means of oral questionnaire and by showing Tanner charts. The corelation between BMI & onset of pubertal events was analyzed statistically by Chi-square test. Results: Body mass index was normal in 44%, low in 52% of students& high in 4%. On assessing pubertal events, menarche has occurred in 74% of students out of which maximum number of students attained menarche at age of 12 years followed by 13 years. Breast changes (thelarche) were present in 74.5% of students and pubic hair was present in 68% of students. A correlation was found between BMI and pubertal events. In girls with low BMI (underweight), menarche was present in 52.94% of cases, breast changes were in 52.94% of cases, regularity of periods in 42.59% of cases in girls with high BMI (overweight/obese), menarche was present in 91.66% of cases, breast changes were in 100% of cases, and regularity of periods in 36.36% of cases. Pallor was present in 37.5% of the total girls. Out of number of girls with normal weight, 80% had regular physical activity and girls with high BMI had very less regular physical activity. Conclusion: The study concluded that underweight, overweight, and anemia were the nutritional problems detected and there was a statistically significant correlation of BMI with onset of pubertal events. Those with low BMI had delayed puberty and those with high BMI had earlier onset of pubertal events. Hence, the need for correction of nutritional disorders with healthy diet, physical exercise, and clinical consultation was considered very crucial to solve the problems of early and delayed puberty. Hence, counseling the girls on adolescent’s health was encouraged in schools including imparting knowledge, nutritional education, and supplementation.

The impact of the severity of early life stress on diurnal cortisol: The role of puberty

Researchers have documented dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in children and adolescents who experienced early life stress (ELS). The precise nature of this dysregulation, however, has been difficult to discern. In fact, both elevated and blunted patterns of diurnal cortisol regulation have been reported in children and adolescents exposed to greater ELS, including both reduced and heightened cortisol levels and change in cortisol across the day. These divergent findings may be due to developmental changes in the relation between ELS and HPA-axis functioning. The present study was designed to examine the role of puberty in the impact of the severity of ELS on the regulation of diurnal cortisol. Boys and girls (N=145) ages 9–13 years recruited from lower-risk communities completed an interview about their ELS experiences and at-home collection of diurnal cortisol. ELS experiences were objectively coded for severity, and children’s level of pubertal development was measured using Tanner Staging. Multi-level piecewise mixed-effects models tested the effects of ELS severity and pubertal stage on cortisol levels at waking, the cortisol awakening response (CAR), and the daytime cortisol slope. While we found no significant interactive effects of pubertal stage and ELS severity on cortisol levels at waking or the daytime cortisol slope, findings indicated that pubertal stage interacted with ELS severity to predict the cortisol awakening response (CAR). Specifically, in earlier puberty, higher ELS was associated with a blunted CAR compared to lower ELS; in contrast, in later puberty, higher ELS was associated with a heightened CAR compared to lower ELS. Differences in the relation between ELS severity and the CAR were uniquely determined by puberty, and not by age. By considering and examining the role of puberty, the current study provides a developmental explanation for previous divergent findings of both blunted and heightened patterns of diurnal cortisol following ELS. These results indicate that careful attention should be given to children’s pubertal status before drawing conclusions concerning the nature of diurnal cortisol dysregulation.

HPA-axis reactivity interacts with stage of pubertal development to predict the onset of depression

Both elevated and blunted levels of cortisol secretion during childhood and adolescence have been linked to the subsequent onset of major depressive disorder (MDD). These mixed findings may be due to developmental changes in HPA-axis functioning, which have not been previously assessed in the context of risk. In the present study, therefore, we examined whether pubertal development moderated the influence of cortisol secretion on the subsequent development of MDD. Eighty-nine never-disordered girls ages 9-15 years, many of whom were at high risk for depression by virtue of having a maternal history of the disorder, completed a laboratory stress task. To index cortisol reactivity, salivary cortisol samples were collected at baseline and 15 min following the onset of the stressor. Girls' levels of pubertal development were measured using Tanner staging. All participants were followed through age 18 in order to assess the subsequent development of MDD. Pubertal stage moderated the effects of cortisol stress reactivity on the development of MDD. Specifically, the onset of MDD was predicted by cortisol hyporeactivity in girls who were earlier in pubertal development (Tanner stage ≤ 2), but by cortisol hyperreactivity in girls who were later in pubertal development (Tanner stage ≥ 3.5). These findings demonstrate that girls' cortisol stress reactivity predicts the subsequent onset of MDD, and further, that the nature of this effect depends on the girls' level of pubertal development. Results are discussed in the context of clarifying previous findings, and directions for future research are offered.

The potential adverse effect of energy drinks on executive functions in early adolescence

Introduction: Manufacturers of energy drinks (EDs) claim their products improve cognitive performance. Young adolescents are in a critical developmental phase. The impact of ED intake on their development is not yet clear. Therefore, we studied the associations of both caffeine intake and ED consumption with executive functions (EFs), and the role of pubertal status and sleeping problems.Methods: A sample of 509 participants (mean age: 13.1 years, SD 0.85; age range: 11–16 years) participated in the study. The level of pubertal development was classified in five pubertal status categories. Participants were asked to report their caffeine (for example coffee) and ED consumption for each day of the week. In addition, they indicated sleep quality by reporting problems falling asleep or waking up and/or interrupted sleep. EFs were assessed by self- and parent reports of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF).Results: Consuming on average one or more ED(s) a day was associated with more problems in self-reported behavior regulation and metacognition, and with more problems in parent-reported metacognition. Only high caffeine consumption (two or more cups a day) was associated with parent-reported problems with metacognition. The sum of caffeine and ED use was associated with a higher amount of problems with self-reported metacognition and parent reported behavior regulation. The effect estimates for the association between caffeine and ED use combined and EFs did not exceed those of EDs or caffeine separately. Adjusting for pubertal status, gender, educational level, number of sleeping problems and hours of sleep did not change the effect estimates substantially.Conclusion: The observed associations between ED consumption and EFs suggest that regular consumption of EDs—even in moderate amounts—may have a negative impact on daily life behaviors related to EF in young adolescents.

Examining the developmental interface of cortisol and depression symptoms in young adolescent girls

Despite the substantial amount of data supporting a link between HPA-axis functioning and depression, the ontogeny of this association is not known. The aim of the present study was to contribute data on the developmental interface of HPA-axis functioning and depression in girls by testing associations between repeated measures of depression symptoms and cortisol levels in childhood and early adolescence. Girls (N=232) and their mothers, who were participating in a longitudinal study, were interviewed about depression symptoms annually from ages 9 to 12 years. Cortisol was assayed from saliva at ages 10 and 12 years upon arrival to the lab and following administration of the cold pressor task (CPT). Time of day of collection of saliva and level of pubertal development were included as covariates in model testing. Although most girls did not show an increase in cortisol in response to the CPT, lower levels of output during the CPT were associated with higher levels of depression symptoms. These findings were observed only for cortisol levels assessed at age 12 years. Girls with low levels of cortisol output at age 12, and decreases in output from ages 10 to 12, had stable or slightly increasing depression symptoms from ages 9 to 12 years. We conclude that associations between HPA-axis functioning and depression emerge as early as age 12. However, individual differences in cortisol levels at age 12 also were associated with depression symptoms at earlier ages. The data suggest two possibilities: (1) that childhood depression is associated with HPA-axis dysregulation, but that age related changes in the sensitivity or plasticity of the HPA-axis may result in a delay in the emergence of such an association, or (2) that dysregulation of the functioning of the HPA-axis develops following repeated experience of depression symptoms.

Age and experience shape developmental changes in the neural basis of language-related learning.

Very little is known about the neural underpinnings of language learning across the lifespan and how these might be modified by maturational and experiential factors. Building on behavioral research highlighting the importance of early word segmentation (i.e. the detection of word boundaries in continuous speech) for subsequent language learning, here we characterize developmental changes in brain activity as this process occurs online, using data collected in a mixed cross-sectional and longitudinal design. One hundred and fifty-six participants, ranging from age 5 to adulthood, underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while listening to three novel streams of continuous speech, which contained either strong statistical regularities, strong statistical regularities and speech cues, or weak statistical regularities providing minimal cues to word boundaries. All age groups displayed significant signal increases over time in temporal cortices for the streams with high statistical regularities; however, we observed a significant right-to-left shift in the laterality of these learning-related increases with age. Interestingly, only the 5- to 10-year-old children displayed significant signal increases for the stream with low statistical regularities, suggesting an age-related decrease in sensitivity to more subtle statistical cues. Further, in a sample of 78 10-year-olds, we examined the impact of proficiency in a second language and level of pubertal development on learning-related signal increases, showing that the brain regions involved in language learning are influenced by both experiential and maturational factors.

THE CHANGES IN ADOLESCENTS THYROID STATUS WITH DIFFUSE NONTOXIC GOITER ON THE STAGES OF SEXUAL MATURATION

The study of thyroid status in adolescents of 10-17 years old with diffuse nontoxic goiter allowed to determine of sex differences in rates of thyroid profile in adolescents with different levels of pubertal development. The period of early puberty in girls is characterized by a higher rate of TTG and in boys it is characterized by a decrease in the concentration of free thyroxine. The signs of minimal thyroid insufficiency and subclinical hypothyroidism can be registered more often in boys with diffuse nontoxic goiter of senior age than in menstruating girls what can be evidenced by the marked reduction of the integral rate of the thyroid with increased rate of TTG/fT4.

Fathers and Their Adolescent Sons

This study examined perceptions of paternal involvement among adolescent males and their fathers across three levels of the adolescent’s pubertal development. A purposive sample of adolescent males (n = 173) and their fathers (n = 122) completed self-report measures of pubertal development (adolescent’s self ratings, fathers’ ratings of their son’s development), paternal support, and involvement. Fathers and sons were similar in their assessments of the sons’ pubertal development. Perceptions of Companionship, General Support, Satisfaction, Sustained Contact, and Time Together did not differ across three levels of development (pre-, transitional-, and post-pubertal development). Physical Affection was the only measure of paternal involvement that differed (decreased) across the three levels of pubertal development. These findings suggest that fathers’ involvement with their adolescent sons is not globally affected by pubertal development.

Growth hormone secretion in HIV-positive versus HIV-negative hemophilic males with abnormal growth and pubertal development. The Hemophilia Growth and Development Study.

Growth and pubertal development in hemophilic males, age 6-19 years at baseline, were evaluated over a 3.5-year period in 207 HIV-positive and 126 HIV-negative subjects as part of the Hemophilia Growth and Development Study. Thyroid function, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1) levels, bone age, cranial magnetic resonance image normality, CD4+ counts, and serum testosterone levels of study participants were measured at baseline. An extensive endocrine evaluation was performed in subjects who demonstrated declines in height for age (measurement <5th percentile with two pervious heights >10th percentile), who had not achieved Tanner stage 4 level of pubertal development by age 15 years or who had abnormal growth velocity, which included assessment of peak stimulated growth hormone response after clonidine stimulation, 12-hour growth hormone profiles, and serum beta carotene levels (triggered protocol). For almost the entire group (-99%), thyroid function tests were normal for age. IGF-1 levels were normal for 93% of the cohort. A total of 120 subjects, 89 HIV-positive and 31 HIV-negative, had an abnormality of growth, pubertal development, or both; 34 (11.1%) HIV-positive and 4 (3.6%) HIV-negative subjects had declines in height (p = .001), 20 (23.3%) HIV-positive and 5 (15.8%) HIV-negative subjects had not achieved Tanner stage 4 by 15 years of age (p = .372) and 59 (43.4%) HIV-positive and 23 (25.6) HIV-negative subjects had abnormal growth velocity (p < 0.001). Among subjects with abnormal height or growth velocity, the HIV-positive group had significantly lower mean age-adjusted testosterone levels than did the HIV-negative group (p = .030). Within the HIV-positive group, older subjects with abnormal height or growth velocity had significantly lower mean bone age than subjects of similar age without growth abnormalities (p = .0092). Extensive testing was done in 39 patients (32 HIV-positive, 7 HIV-negative). Half of the HIV-positive subjects had mean 12-hour growth hormone levels <3 ng/ml, 47% had peak stimulated levels <10 ng/ml, 28% had peak spontaneous values <10 ng/ml, and 38% had low levels of IGF-1. In the HIV-positive cohort, there was no difference in the rate of abnormalities of growth hormone secretion between those with CD4+ counts > or = or <200 cells/mm3 and between those subjects that met the 1987 Centers for Disease Control (CDC) surveillance definition of AIDS. In the subset of HIV-positive patients with abnormal peak growth hormone levels after clonidine stimulation, growth hormone response correlated positively with CD4+ count (r = .657, p = .0056) and beta carotene concentration (R = .596, p = .0192). The results of this longitudinal study suggest that abnormalities of growth and pubertal development, particularly an abnormal growth velocity, are common in HIV-infected hemophilic boys and adolescents. These abnormalities might serve as indicators of the presence of HIV infection in this at-risk population. Since thyroid function tests and IGF-1 levels were normal, the etiology of growth impairment in HIV infection does not appear to be secondary to inadequate caloric intake or acquisition, or severe illness such as that caused by recurrent or persistent infection. Rather, HIV infection appears to lead to diminished growth hormone production or release and decreased androgen secretion, even before the development of AIDS and immunocompromise. These results provide a rationale for trials of treatment with growth hormone or androgens in patients with abnormalities of endocrine function.

A prospective comparison of bone density in adolescent girls receiving depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (Depo-Provera), levonorgestrel (Norplant), or oral contraceptives

OBJECTIVE: To examine bone density among adolescents receiving different forms of hormonal contraception along with that of control subjects. METHODS: Baseline and 1-year measures of lumbar vertebral bone density were obtained in girls receiving depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (Depo-Provera) (n = 15), levonorgestrel (Norplant) (n = 7), or oral contraceptives (n = 9) and in girls receiving no hormonal treatment (n = 17). In a subsample of Depo-Provera users (n = 8), Norplant users (n = 3), and control subjects (n = 4), bone density measurements were repeated after 2 years. Bone density was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: Body mass indexes, level of pubertal development, substance use, and reproductive histories were not significantly different among the groups. More black girls were represented in the initial Depo-Provera group ( p <0.02), girls in the Norplant group exercised more hours per week ( p <0.02), and control subjects were older ( p <0.01) than those in the other groups. These variables did not significantly affect bone density results. After 1 year, bone density decreased 1.5% in Depo-Provera users, compared with increases of 2.5% in Norplant users, 1.5% in oral contraceptive users, and 2.9% control subjects ( p <0.02). After 2 years, bone density increased a total of 9.3% in Norplant users and 9.5% in control subjects but decreased a total of 3.1% in Depo-Provera users ( p <0.0001). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that Depo-Provera may, at least temporarily, suppress the expected skeletal bone mineralization in adolescents, whereas Norplant and oral contraceptives are associated with the expected increase in bone density in this population. (J Pediatr 1996;129:671-6)

Looking Forward to Adolescence

One hundred five parents were surveyed about their expectations for what their relationship with their sixth-grade child would be like when their child becomes an adolescent. Parents rated a series of items concerning how much they felt they could influence their child's behaviors and interests currently and when their child becomes an adolescent. Parents also rated their child's level of pubertal development on several items, as well as the quality of their current relationship with their child Findings suggest that mothers and fathers do not differ in their expectations for how their sons or daughters will change as they move into adolescence. Nevertheless, the relation between the gender of the child and parental expectations, taking the child's pubertal status into account, is mediated by current parent-child relationships in predicting parental expectations for change during adolescence. These findings are discussed in terms of the impact current parent-child relationships can have on future relationships.

Testosterone and pubertal development as predictors of sexual activity: a panel analysis of adolescent males.

Strong cross-sectional relationships between testosterone (T) and sexual activity have been found for human adolescent males, even when level of pubertal development is controlled; however, it has not been demonstrated that sexual behavior increases over time as a consequence of hormonal changes. The purpose of this paper was to extend previous cross-sectional findings by demonstrating that sexual behavior is initiated and increases within individuals over time as a direct function of changes in T levels, rather than indirectly through pubertal development. Analyses are based on a 3-year panel study of about 100 7th- and 8th-grade adolescent boys. Pubertal development and changes in pubertal development were significantly and positively related to changes in sexual ideation, noncoital behavior, and to the transition to sexual intercourse. Testosterone levels at study entry were significantly related to coital status at Time 1 and also predicted the transition to nonvirgin status. However, changes in hormone levels during the 3 years of study participation did not predict changes in ideation or noncoital sexual activity, regardless of the period of change or the lag time to effects. The panel data suggest, in contrast to earlier cross-sectional results, that change in pubertal development is related to the initiation of sexual activity because of its social stimulus value, and not solely because it is determined by, or is a proxy for, changing hormone levels. Possible causes of the different findings in the cross-sectional and panel data are examined, and the implications and meaning of hormone/behavior relationships based on single measures are discussed.

Initiation of Coitus in Early Adolescence

It is assumed that in the case of 2 adolescents with similar social constraints the individual with higher motivation is more likely to begin sexual behavior. The models also include another dimension i.e. to have coitus one needs a partner. The partner is not usually a victim in this deviant but a willing participant and it is necessary to consider the ability to attract a partner in the model. Conceptualizing adolescent coitus as the failure of age-graded controls: motivation attractiveness and social controls. This is a panel study in which several variables in each of the domains are measured at a period prior to the time when the sexual behavior of interest (1st intercourse) occurred. Data were used from sources other than the adolescent to examine variables that might be contaminated by the adolescents perceptual processes or about which the adolescent has only imperfect information. The sample and study design were dominated by the need to identify and interview the friends of respondents. The target sample thus was defined as all students enrolled in selected schools. The population finally identified was all students in grades 7 8 and 9 at selected public schools in a medium-sized city. The initial sample was 1405 respondents who completed a self-administered questionnaire with the interviewer in the home. Respondents ranged in age from 11-17 and represented a wide variety of socioeconomic levels. About 2 years later an essentially identical follow-up questionnaire was administered to the original sample. Of the 1405 respondents from the 1st round 1153 completed questionnaires in round 2. All variables used to predict the transition to intercourse between rounds 1 and 2 were measured at time 1. A preliminary analysis showed zero order race-sex group. For black males the round 1 virgin group was too small to permit a stable analysis of transition to coitus and no analysis is presented for black males. For white males the initiation of coitus in early adolescence was dominated by motivational hormone effects and social attractiveness with no observed effects of social controls. For white females the initiation of coitus was dominated by the effects of social controls. No effect of attractiveness no hormone effects and no effects of sexual motivation were observed. For black females the initiation of coitus was dominated by their level of pubertal development (an attractiveness variable) with no observed effects of social controls.