Psychosocial Characteristics of Precocious Puberty In Korean Girls

The study compared body image and levels of self-esteem and depression between girls with precocious puberty and typical girls, identifying relationships between variables. Data were collected from July until August 2014. Study participants were firstto fourthyear female students in the D region who were diagnosed with precocious puberty in E university hospital and typical students in the same grades in the same region. The participants included 125 female students with precocious puberty and 176 typical students. Parents of both groups of females also participated. Using propensity score matching, 94 girls with precocious puberty and 94 typical girls were selected and their data were analyzed.The study used a body image scale called the Rosenberg’s Self-esteem Scale, a tool to measure self-esteem, in addition to the Children’s Depression Inventory. Collected data were analyzed using the SPSS/WIN 21.0 program.There was a significant difference in body image (t=4.78, p<.001), self-esteem (t=3.81, p<.001), and depression (t=-3.32, p=.001) between the two groups.The two groups showed that body image had a positive correlation with self-esteem and self-esteem had a negative correlation with depression. The analysis of girls with precocious puberty showed that body image had a negative correlation with depression, but typical girls showed that body image had a no correlation with depression. The study indicates the necessity for health education at home and school to help girls with precocious puberty perceive their body image in a positive way so that they can achieve healthy growth and development. In addition, this study can be used as a basis for understanding children with precocious puberty and for developing nursing interventions to promote psychosocialhealth.