Trajectories of Violent and Nonviolent Behaviors From Adolescence to Early Adulthood: Does Early Puberty Matter, and, If So, How Long?

Citation

Dimler, L. M. & Natsuaki, M. N. (2020). Trajectories of Violent and Nonviolent Behaviors From Adolescence to Early Adulthood: Does Early Puberty Matter, and, If So, How Long?. Journal of Adolescent Health.

Abstract

Purpose: It is well known that pubertal timing affects adolescents' externalizing behaviors, but it is unknown if this effect lasts into adulthood. This study assessed if and when the early maturation effect wanes, specifically in two domains of externalizing behaviors: nonviolent and violent behaviors. Methods: Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) that include age-appropriate items of violent and nonviolent behaviors assessed from ages 11–30 over four waves (N = 4,255), we conducted a series of longitudinal growth curve analyses to evaluate the effect of pubertal timing on the trajectories of nonviolent and violent externalizing behaviors for males and females. Results: Compared to later maturing male peers, early maturing males reported significantly elevated overall externalizing, nonviolent, and violent behaviors throughout adolescence, but became indistinguishable from on-time and late-maturing counterparts in young adulthood. Similarly, early maturing females showed higher levels of overall externalizing and nonviolent behaviors than later maturing counterparts, but no effect of pubertal timing was seen on the trajectories of violent behaviors. However, early maturing females' overall externalizing and nonviolent behaviors also became indistinguishable from on-time and late-maturing females after adolescence. Conclusions: These findings clarify the differential effect of early maturation on nonviolent and violent behaviors, especially in females, and highlight the short-lived nature of the effects of early pubertal timing. © 2020 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine

URL

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.06.034

Keyword(s)

Adolescence

Notes

Export Date: 21 September 2020

Reference Type

Journal Article

Journal Title

Journal of Adolescent Health

Author(s)

Dimler, L. M.
Natsuaki, M. N.

Year Published

2020

DOI

10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.06.034

Reference ID

6142