By IANS
New York : Stress may lead to early puberty in girls, says a new study that shows how family conflict can influence hormonal changes in children.
Scientists in the US studied children from preschool to middle childhood and conducted interviews with their parents to assess family stresses, including economic difficulties, marital problems, parental depression and parenting styles.
According to the study, girls living in families with greater parental support and less marital conflict experienced their first hormonal changes later than other children, the online edition of health magazine WebMD reported.
Marital conflict, poor parent support and depression among fathers, but not mothers, was associated with earlier puberty, researchers Bruce Ellis of the University of Arizona and Marilyn Essex of the University of Wisconsin said.
Even modest family conflict or stress may influence a young girl’s sexual development, the researchers added.
Early puberty among girls has become a risk factor for many health problems, including depression and other mood disorders.