Longitudinal associations between pubertal development and youth social functioning in the context of parent and peer relationships

Puberty is a key developmental process that may shape youths’ social adjustment, but how individual differences in pubertal development relate to social functioning remains poorly understood. Using data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, we applied linear mixed-effect models to examine associations between pubertal timing and tempo, derived from SITAR growth curve modelling of up to nine assessments between ages 8-17 years, and mother-reported externalizing problems and prosociality at age 16 (smallest n=2666). Pre-registered analyses showed no associations between puberty and outcomes at age 16. However, exploratory analyses indicated that earlier pubertal timing predicted more externalizing problems and lower prosociality at younger ages. Among females, these associations were no longer significant when accounting for quality of social relationships. This highlights the importance of longitudinal studies, as associations vary across adolescence, and suggests that supportive social relationships may buffer against the risks of maturing early, particularly for females.