Psychological effects of precocious puberty on young girls and their mothers

Objectives Puberty is a period during which children undergo significant biological, physical, and emotional changes. Parents are often concerned about early sexual maturation. This study aimed to investigate the psychological impact of early pubertal onset on girls and their mothers. Material and Methods A pediatric psychiatrist evaluated female patients with early breast enlargement and their mothers. Children and adolescents were assessed using a Behavior Assessment Scale and a Depression Scale, while their mothers were assessed using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, and the Positive and Negative Emotion Scale. Results Twenty-one female subjects, 14 with early breast development and seven controls with no signs of puberty, were evaluated. The mean age at the onset of puberty signs was 7.25 ± 0.42 years. Somatic complaints, social problems, and slow cognitive tempo scores were significantly higher in patients with central precocious puberty (CPP) in comparison to both the premature thelarche (PT) patients and the control group. Maternal anxiety scores were higher in both the CPP and PT groups compared to the controls. Conclusion Higher anxiety scores in the mothers of girls with both CPP and PT indicate that the physical changes have an impact on maternal anxiety. Higher scores in girls with true CPP than those with still prepubertal hormone levels indicated that the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and associated biological alterations may influence the psychological, cognitive, and behavioral status of the child.