Early puberty paradox: an investigation of anxiety levels of mothers and children, children’s quality of life, and psychiatric diagnoses

Abstract

PurposeEarly puberty signs lead to an increase in anxiety levels of parents and children. The aim of this study was to investigate the quality of life and anxiety levels of girls and their mothers who were admitted to a pediatric endocrinology clinic with concerns about early puberty. MethodsGirls and their mothers who were admitted to endocrinology outpatient clinic with concerns about early puberty were compared to healthy control group. Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders-Parent form (SCARED), Quality of Life for Children Scale-parent form (PedsQL) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were administered to the mothers. Children were evaluated with the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children (Kiddie-SADS Lifetime Version) (K-SADS-PL). ResultsThe study sample consisted of 92 girls, 62 of them administered to clinic with concerns about early puberty. There were 30 girls in early puberty group (Group 1), 32 girls in the normal development group (Group 2) and 30 were in the healthy control group (Group 3). The anxiety level of Group 1 and Group 2 was signi cantly higher and their quality of life was signi cantly lower when compared to Group 3 (p < 0,001). Mother's anxiety level was found signi cantly higher in Group 2 (p < 0,001). It has shown that, anxiety level and quality of life of children was associated with anxiety level of mothers and the current Tanner stage (r spearman = 0.302, p < 0.005). CONCLUSIONMothers and children who have concerns about early puberty are negatively affected when early puberty is a possibility. For this reason, educating parents will prevent negative impacts of this situation on children. At the same time, it will decrease health burden. What Is Known?Early adolescence is one of the most common reasons for admission to pediatric endocrinology outpatient clinics. It is known that increasing early adolescence anxiety in the society causes cost and time losses in the eld of health. However, studies investigating the reasons for this result are limited in the literature.What's New?The level of anxiety increased signi cantly in girls with suspected precocious puberty and their mothers, and their quality of life was affected.

The effect of cognitive behavioral therapy on stress and anxiety of mothers of girls with precocious puberty symptoms: a randomized controlled trial

“…Precocious puberty symptoms in girls may cause unfavorable consequences in their mothers. It leads to mild to severe stress in more than 50% of these mothers and can cause mental and emotional problems [14]. Stress is a reaction against a perceived threat (real or imagined) to an individual's mental, physical, or spiritual well-being, resulting from a series of physiological responses and adaptations [15].…”