Hormonal changes during puberty linked to emotional distress in young girls
New research from the University of Georgia indicates that significant changes in testosterone levels during early puberty (ages 10-12) are linked to increased emotional distress in young girls. The study, published in Psychoneuroendocrinology, suggests that hormonal shifts are more predictive of mental health issues like depression and anxiety than physical development. This highlights the importance of early intervention during this critical developmental period.
Why it matters
Understanding the hormonal drivers of emotional vulnerability in preteen girls can help parents and healthcare providers identify risks earlier and implement preventative mental health strategies, potentially reducing the escalation of problems.
edited by Lisa Lock , reviewed by Alexander Pol
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Add as preferred source The preteen age range is a critical period for emotional and brain development. Understanding what youth go through could help circumvent some of the additional mental struggles they experience. Credit: Kaiya Plagenhoef Testosterone may play a bigger role in the emotional development of girls entering puberty than previously thought, according to new research from the University of Georgia published in Psychoneuroendocrinology . Greater changes in the hormone were linked to more emotional difficulties among girls ages 10–12, even when accounting for levels of other hormones.
The study also suggests physical development during early puberty is less likely to predict depression and anxiety symptoms in adolescent girls than hormone levels.
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