Girls who mature physically earlier than their peers are more likely to feel self-conscious and to experience depressed moods. For some girls, menstrual cycles are associated with behavioral and physical changes, and menstruation can be accompanied by feelings of tension, the perception of loss of control over their bodies, and irritability. Girls view body changes, such as increased fat layers, as negative. Boys, on the other hand, view body changes, such as increased muscular development, as positive. BACK TO TOP Psychosocial issues Some studies suggest that the lower social status of females and the traditional upbringing of girls foster certain traits that may increase the vulnerability of adolescent girls to depression.
Sex roles take on new importance as adolescents' bodies become more sex-differentiated.
Emphasis on weight diverts girls from developing their own interests, talents and internal character to obsessing over their appearance. Self-esteem in girls peaks at the age of nine, then, for some, begins to plummet. These attributes may exaggerate the effect of stressful life events or interfere with taking action to cope with them. It has also been hypothesized that higher depression rates among girls occur when they start to interact with boys more frequently. Intelligence, assertiveness, and competence are seen as liabilities rather than assets by some adolescent girls.