Jane Mendle, psychology professor at the University of Oregon, said those in her field know the psychological effects of early puberty well. "Whether or not that knowledge has been translated in the way it could or should be to the general population, I'm not sure."

Mendle said girls who mature earlier tend to land in social situations they are not psychologically prepared to handle. Because of that, they might develop psychological issues during puberty.

While research on boys and puberty is thin compared to girls, Mendle said her recent work suggests the deciding factor for the emotional influence on boys might be the duration of puberty, while it is timing for girls.

"It could be that with boys by trying to focus on timing we're sort of barking up the wrong tree," she said.

SOURCE Journal of Adolescent Health