Understanding puberty and its measurement: Ideas for a maturing field

Puberty is a complex developmental process involving neuroendocrine changes (e.g., hormones, brain development), physical maturity (e.g., breast development, facial hair growth), and social reorganization (e.g., new social roles and relationships). Despite robust literature on the psychological correlates of pubertal development, research is limited by (1) a narrow conceptualization of puberty, (2) a focus on single pubertal markers (e.g., onset), and (3) invasive clinical exams that may limit access to representative samples. Indeed, many aspects of pubertal development - when it begins, how quickly or slowly youth progress through puberty, and how one’s maturity is viewed by others - are central to young people’s development and their future health and wellbeing. Further, while pubertal measures can reflect many different aspects of puberty, each telling a distinct story about development, they are frequently used and understood in similar ways, often privileging the experiences of White youth (and especially, girls) over those with marginalized social identities.