Behavior Problems and Timing of Menarche: A Developmental Longitudinal Biometrical Analysis Using the NLSY-Children Data

Abstract

A powerful longitudinal data source, the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth Children data, allows measurement of behavior problems (BP) within a developmental perspective linking them to menarcheal timing (MT). In a preliminary analysis, we evaluate the bivariate relationships between BP measured at different developmental periods and the timing of menarche. Correlations were not consistent with any correlational/causal relationship between BP and MT. In the major part of our study, MT was used to moderate the developmental trajectory of BP, within a genetically-informed design. Girls reaching menarche early had behavior problem variance accounted for by the shared environment; those reaching menarche with average/late timing had behavior problem differences accounted for by genetic variance. Our findings match previous empirical results in important ways, and also extend those results. A theoretical interpretation is offered in relation to a theory linking genetic/shared environmental variance to flexibility and choices available within the family in relation to BP.

Clarifying the Associations between Age at Menarche and Adolescent Emotional and Behavioral Problems

“…We also did not find evidence for race or ethnicity moderating the small association between menarcheal age and delinquent acts, which replicates results from Rodgers et al (2015). The current finding also replicates the findings of another recent large-scale study that directly tested race and ethnicity as a moderator in finding no statistically significant difference by race and ethnicity for menarcheal age predicting delinquency (Mrug et al 2014).…”

“…Burt et al (2006) examined timing of menarche and conduct disorder using bivariate twin analyses and found that shared environmental factors that accounted for variation in menarcheal timing were highly correlated with shared environmental factors that accounted for variation in conduct problems at approximately the same age. Rodgers et al (2015) replicated the results of Burt et al (2006) using both childhood and adolescent conduct problems in the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth. These results suggest that menarcheal age does not independently predict conduct problems, but that environmental factors shared within families account for the association between the two.…”

The effect of early menarche on the sexual behaviors of Korean female adolescents

“…In addition, we did not account for the social or psychological factors that could influence the respondents' sexual behaviors, except for the parents' educational levels, whether the students lived with both parents, the participants' academic performances, and the factors associated with household income. Some studies have reported that early menarche is associated with psychological instability, including depression, anxiety, and aggression, and that this causes high rates of impulsive behaviors 19 20) . A comprehensive evaluation of the factors, for example, the relationships between the adolescents and their parents or peers, and the adolescents' psychological statuses, is required in future studies.…”

A Systematic Literature Review of Factors Affecting the Timing of Menarche: The Potential for Climate Change to Impact Women’s Health

“…Diseases/conditions associated with late menarche include osteoporosis [83] and two fertility-related conditions, including fetal loss [84] and longer time to first baby [84], and hirsutism (excessive body hair growth) [85]. Diseases/conditions associated with early menarche include short stature [86], elevated BMI [87], fertility-related diseases/conditions including increased antral follicle count (typically a sign of increased fertility) [87], premature menopause [88], hysterectomy [89], and mental health conditions including depression [90], thoughts of self-harm (but not suicidality) [91], fear [92], distress [92], externalizing disorders [92], and behavioral problems [93]. Short stature is more a characteristic of the patient state and can indicate lack of adequate nutritional intake [86].…”