Pubertal Status in Early-Adolescent Girls: Relations to Moods, Energy, and Restlessness

This study examined perceived pubertal change in relation to characteristics of early-adolescent girls' moods; energy, and restlessness. Fifty-two girls aged 9.1 to 10.8 years reported their moods, energy, and restlessness on 12 days over the course of 1 month. Average levels, variability, and intensity of these constructs were calculated Measures of certainty about self and perceived pubertal status and timing were also obtained. Girls who felt they were experiencing pubertal changes reported more negative moods and nervousness, and more variable negative moods, nervousness, energy, and restlessness over the month than did prepubertal girls. They also experienced more intense negative moods, nervousness, and restlessness relative to the average levels of these constructs for the sample. The hypothesis that associations between pubertal status and moods were due to heightened feelings of uncertainty about self was not supported. Mechanisms by which pubertal development may be linked to moods and energy are discussed.