Talk it out or tuck it away: the contribution of maternal socialization of coping to depression in youth with off-time pubertal maturation

Abstract

Theory and research highlight the mismatch between puberty-associated challenges and available coping resources among youth with actual or perceived off-time development. This study (N = 167; Mage = 12.41 years; 51.5% female; 77.8% White) examined the moderating effect of maternal socialization of coping on depression in off-time youth. Results revealed that earlier perceived timing predicted elevated depressive symptoms over time in girls whose mothers encouraged low (B = .35, SE = .15) but not high levels of engagement coping. However, engagement coping suggestions exacerbated depression among boys who perceive themselves as early maturers (B = .41, SE = .18). These findings build on prior theory and research by highlighting that providing external coping resources to youth who perceive themselves as off-time maturers may mitigate or enhance their depression risk, depending upon whether the type of coping suggestion is adaptive under gender-specific developmental context.