Pubertal Processes: Methods, Measures, and Models

Abstract

The interplay of constancy and change in development across the life span has been emphasized from both theoretical and methodological perspectives. The interactions among an individual's biological and psychological development and the social context of that development are examined simultaneously and longitudinally, in order to see what aspects of development are subject to continuity and change. Puberty has been defined from a medical perspective as the period of physical growth leading to the attainment of reproductive capability. However, pubertal development includes physical changes not directly linked to reproductive functioning. The influence of pubertal development on behavior is usually examined in terms of either pubertal status or pubertal timing. Pubertal status refers to the level of development on a set of indicators at a single point in time, whereas timing refers to whether an individual's overall pubertal development occurs earlier, later, or at about the same time as most adolescents.