Pubertal maturation and adolescent self-esteem.

One hundred thirty-five students attending a suburban junior and senior high school were studied to examine the relationships between self-esteem and age, gender, and pubertal events. Forty-five percent of the subjects were male, and 24% were black. Mean Hollingshead Two Factor Index of Social Position was 37.1 +/- 16.3, reflecting their predominantly middle-class background. Self-esteem was not related to age but did correlate with intelligence (r = 0.233, p = 0.003). Females had significantly lower self-esteem than males (p = 0.001). Pubertal status (Tanner stage) did not affect self-esteem. However, our data suggest that a subtle relationship between timing of sexual maturation and self-esteem may exist for males. Perhaps more sensitive measures of early pubertal maturation (such as hormone levels) may clarify the extent of this relationship and the gender differences found prior to age 11 years.