Early Puberty is Vulnerable to Depression

Researchers from Cornell University tracked about 8000 teenage women through the late 20s and found that those who experience puberty at a young age are susceptible to depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and drug abuse.

A study found that women who experience early puberty tend to experience psychological problems as adults.

Researchers from Cornell University tracked about 8000 teenage women through till late 20s and found those who had puberty at young age were susceptible to depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and drug abuse.

The study, published in the journal Pediatrics, said the problem could last for years.

In addition to psychological problems, women who experience early puberty also tend to have antisocial behavior such as breaking the rules or doing evil. The behavior will get worse with age.

The researchers collected based on analysis data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health that has information from 7800 women.

As part of a nationally representative study, participants were asked when they menstrual and psychological health were tracked for 14 years between 1994 and 2008.

According to the researchers, the reason why older girls are at greater risk of psychological problems because early puberty can make the difference between a girl's physical appearance and her cognitive maturity.

It can encourage perverse self-perception that can lead to bullying in schools and put them at risk of sexual harassment.

"The trick is that they look older and start to be treated like they are older, but they still have internal mental work from their normal chronological age," says researcher Jane Mendle.

Related reasons why this problem continues in adulthood, Mendle and his colleagues reveal that the question will be the subject of their next research.