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Theory and research highlight the mismatch between puberty-associated challenges and personal coping resources among youth with early actual or perceived pubertal timing. This study (N = 167; Mage = 12.41 years; 51.5% female; 77.8% White American) examined whether coping resources provided by mothers (maternal socialization of coping) exert protective or exacerbating effects on risk for depression among early-maturing youth. Results revealed that earlier perceived timing predicted higher subsequent depressive symptoms in girls with low (B = .40, SE = .15) but not high (B = −.08, SE = .17) levels of engagement coping suggestions, whereas earlier perceived timing predicted higher subsequent depressive symptoms in boys with high (B = .40, SE = .17) but not low (B = −.12, SE = .15) levels of engagement coping suggestions. These findings build on prior theory and research by highlighting that maternal coping suggestions may mitigate or enhance depression risk in youth who perceive themselves as early maturers; the differential effects in girls and boys suggest that the impact of these suggestions may depend on whether they are in line with gender-specific norms for coping.
Public Significance StatementThe present study suggests that encouraging youth who view themselves as early maturers to engage with stressors and related emotions-through strategies such as seeking support, reappraising stressors, and problem-solving-can buffer girls against depression but heighten risk for depression in boys. These opposing findings highlight the importance of considering gender-specific developmental contexts when teaching youth how to cope with stress.