Self-consciousness and depression in precocious pubertal children

OBJECTIVE: To explore self-consciousness and depression in children with precocious puberty (PP) and analyse its effect on children of both sexes. METHODS: Sixty children with PP and 60 non-PP children matched for sex and age participated in the study. Children were assessed using the Birleson Depression Self-Rating Scale for Children and the Piers–Harris Children’s Self-Concept Scale. RESULTS: There were significant differences in physical appearance and attributes, anxiety, happiness and satisfaction between PP children and non-PP children. PP children had significantly higher depression than non-PP children. In the PP group, girls were significantly more prone to anxiety and unhappiness than boys. Conclusion: There were sex differences in the effect of PP on children’s self-consciousness, and girls were more prone to anxiety and unhappiness. More attention should be paid to improving the physical and mental health of children with PP.