Cognitive Vulnerabilities Amplify the Effect of Early Pubertal Timing on Interpersonal Stress Generation During Adolescence

• NCJ Number: 246675
• Journal: Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 43 Issue: 5 Dated: May 2014 Pages: 824-833
• Author(s): Jessica L. Hamilton; Jonathan P. Stange; Evan M. Kleiman; Elissa J. Hamlat; Lyn Y. Abramson; Lauren B. Alloy
• Date Published: May 2014
• Length: 10 pages
• Grant Number(s): MH79369
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Mental Health
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined whether cognitive vulnerabilities amplified the effects of early pubertal timing on interpersonal stress generation.

Abstract

Early pubertal timing has been found to confer risk for the occurrence of interpersonal stressful events during adolescence. However, pre-existing vulnerabilities may exacerbate the effects of early pubertal timing on the occurrence of stressors. Thus, the current study prospectively examined whether cognitive vulnerabilities amplified the effects of early pubertal timing on interpersonal stress generation. In a diverse sample of 310 adolescents (M age = 12.83 years, 55 percent female; 53 percent African-American), early pubertal timing predicted higher levels of interpersonal dependent events among adolescents with more negative cognitive style and rumination, but not among adolescents with lower levels of these cognitive vulnerabilities. These findings suggest that cognitive vulnerabilities may heighten the risk of generating interpersonal stress for adolescents who undergo early pubertal maturation, which may subsequently place adolescents at greater risk for the development of psychopathology. Abstract published by arrangement with Springer.