Association between pubertal timing and social adaptation in junior school students in Henan Province

Abstract

Objective To explore the association between pubertal timing and social adaptability in junior school students, and to provide guidance for adolescent psychological education and behavioral interventions.

Methods From September to December 2021, 3 591 junior school students were selected from four cities in Henan Province through stratified cluster sampling. The data were obtained with questionnaires of the Youth Development Scale and Social Adaptation Scale.

Results The scores of psychological advantage, mental energy, interpersonal adaptation, psychological elasticity and social adaptation were significantly higher in boys than girls ( t = 2.03, 5.64, 2.48, 3.65, 4.01, P<0.05). One-way ANOVA indicated that the scores of social adaptation in the delayed group were significantly higher than those in the moderate group, and those in the moderate group were significantly higher than those in the advanced group ( P<0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that, as compared with the moderate group, the group with early puberty showed negative correlations with psychological advantages, mental energy, interpersonal adaptation, psychological resilience and total social adaptation score ( β = −0.30, −0.31, −0.31, −0.32, −0.35, P<0.01).

Conclusion Pubertal timing among junior school students is closely associated with social adaptation. Early puberty negatively influences social adaptability. Schools are recommended to take scientific measures to strengthen psychological assistance for students who enter puberty early and to improve their social adaptability.

Abstract

【摘要】 目的 探讨初中生青春发育时相与社会适应性水平的关系, 为开展青春期学生的心理教育与行为干预提供指 导。 方法 2021 年 9—12 月, 采取分层整群抽样法, 在河南省 4 座城市抽取 3 591 名初中生, 使用“青春发育量表”和“社会 适应量表”开展问卷调查。 结果 男生在心理优势感、心理能量、人际适应、心理弹性和社会适应层面的得分高于女生, 且 差异均有统计学意义 ( t 值分别为 2.03, 5.64, 2.48, 3.65, 4.01, P 值均<0.05)。单因素方差分析表明, 青春发育时相延迟组社 会适应得分高于适中组, 适中组高于提前组, 差异均有统计学意义 ( P 值均<0.01)。多元线性回归分析显示, 相对于适中 组, 青春发育时相提前与心理优势感、心理能量、人际适应、心理弹性各维度和社会适应总分均呈负相关 ( β 值分别为 −0.30, −0.31, −0.31, −0.32, −0.35, P 值均<0.01)。 结论 初中生青春发育时相与社会适应水平密切相关, 青春发育时相提 前会对社会适应水平产生消极影响。建议学校采取科学方法加强对青春发育时相提前学生的心理援助与支持。