Adrenarche and the Emotional and Behavioral Problems of Late Childhood

Lisa K Mundy; Helena Romaniuk; Louise Canterford; Stephen Hearps; Russell M Viner; Jordana K Bayer; Julian G Simmons; John B Carlin; Nicholas B Allen; George C Patton

doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2015.09.001

Adrenarche and the Emotional and Behavioral Problems of Late Childhood

J Adolesc Health. 2015 Dec;57(6):608-16. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2015.09.001.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Centre for Adolescent Health, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: lisa.mundy@mcri.edu.au.
² Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Centre for Adolescent Health, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
³ Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Centre for Adolescent Health, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
⁴ UCL Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK.
⁵ Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Psychology and Counseling, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
⁶ Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
⁷ Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
⁸ Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Psychology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon.
⁹ Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Centre for Adolescent Health, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

PMID: 26592329
DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2015.09.001

Abstract

Purpose: Mental and behavioral disorders increase in prevalence with the passage through puberty. Yet the first symptoms for many children emerge between seven and 11 years, before the pubertal rise in gonadal hormones. A possibility that symptom onset may be linked to the adrenarchal rise in androgens has been little explored.

Methods: The Childhood to Adolescence Transition Study recruited a stratified random sample of 1,239 eight-nine year olds from primary schools in Melbourne, Australia. Saliva samples were assayed for dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEA-S), and testosterone. Emotional and behavioral problems were assessed through parental report on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire.

Results: In males, high levels of all androgens were associated with greater total difficulties and peer problems. Higher dehydroepiandrosterone and testosterone were associated with emotional symptoms and DHEA-S with conduct problems. In females, DHEA-S was associated with peer problems.

Conclusions: In late childhood, androgens are associated with emotional and behavioral problems in males, raising a possibility that the adrenarchal transition plays a contributing role. If so, the late primary school years may prove to be an important phase for preventing the onset of mental health and behavioral problems in boys.

Keywords: Adrenarche; Behavior problems; CATS study; Emotional problems; Hormones; Peer relationships; Puberty.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adrenarche / psychology*
Child
Child Behavior Disorders / physiopathology*
Female
Humans
Male
Parents
Prevalence
Surveys and Questionnaires
Victoria / epidemiology