| http://www.masson.fr/masson/S0013-7...
[Pubertal maturation, physical self-esteem and sexuality in a sample of French adolescents].
Encephale. 2016 Apr ;42(2):138-43
Authors : Potard C, Courtois R, Clarisse R, Le Floc’h N, Thomine M, Réveillère C
Abstract AIM : The aim of this study was to explore the links between pubertal maturation, physical self-esteem and sexuality in adolescence, differentiating between boys and girls. METHOD : The sample was comprised of 312 French secondary school children (seventh and ninth grades) ; 52.6 % (n=164) of whom were girls. Participants answered three self-evaluation questionnaires : the scale of sexuality (interests, emotions, relationships : IERS) in prime adolescence (12 to 15 years) ; (b) the self-administered rating scale for pubertal development and (c) the Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (PSDQ). RESULTS : Pubertal maturation was associated with higher scores on "Flirting with the aim of having sexual relations" and "Going out with someone", and a drop in overall and physical self-esteem, mainly in socially valued domains, namely "Body fat" for girls, and "Strength" and "Health" for boys. Overall physical self-esteem was associated with "Going out with someone" and "Flirting with the aim of having sexual relations" in boys. DISCUSSION : Physical changes at puberty induce two distinct trends in adolescents : sexual exploration and discovery (genitalized body), and self-depreciation (social body).
PMID : 26806140 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]