Interrelations of markers of pubertal development and adolescent adjustment and behavior are investigated cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Participants are 9- to 14-year-old boys and girls and their parents. The adolescents and their parents are seen three times, six months apart. The markers of pubertal development include serum hormone levels (gonadotropins, sex steroids, and adrenal androgens), pubertal stage (Tanner criteria), and height and weight. Psychological assessments of the adolescent include adolescent- and parent-report of behavior problems and competencies. Behavioral observations of parents and their adolescent in family interactions also were made. Findings based on behavioral observations suggest that adolescents' aggressive behaviors with parents represent trait-like as well as problem behavior more so for boys than for girls. Longitudinal hormone data analyses indicate that, although the general maturational course for puberty-related hormone levels is a gradual rise, many children show substantial decreases in hormone levels from one time of assessment to the next. Decreased often followed large increases. This pattern of changes is being examined in terms of potential disequilibrating effects on emotional and behavioral functioning. Other analyses indicate that, in addition to the direct association between hormone level and stage of pubertal development, hormone levels appear to be associated with rate of pubertal development. To obtain an index of general hormone change, principal components analyses were carried out. Results indicate that pubertal hormone status in adolescent boys and girls can be indexed reliably by two factors, a gonadal factor and an adrenal factor.
