Skip to main content

The Experience of Menarche from a Developmental Perspective

  • Chapter
Girls at Puberty

Abstract

Although just one of a series of physical events that marks the attainment of adult reproductive status, menarche may be the most important pubertal change that a young woman experiences. Being a discontinuous event embedded in a more gradual process may make it even more salient to the young girl. Examining the social, psychological, and physical meaning of menarche is important for several reasons.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Abel, T., and Joffe, N. F. Cultural background of female puberty. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 1950, 4, 90–93.

    Google Scholar 

  • Apter, D., and Vilko, R. Serum pregnenolone, progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, testosterone and 5 alpha dihydrotestosterone during female puberty. Journal of Clinical Endrocrinology and Metabolism,1977, 45(5),1039–1048.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boggiano, A. K. Self-perception versus the cued expectancy: Analyses of overjustification. Doctoral dissertation, Princeton University, 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brooks-Gunn, J. Transitions in Gender Role Development in Childhood and Adolescence. Paper presented at a conference on Gender Role Development at NICHD, Bethesda, October 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brooks-Gunn, J. and Ruble, D. N. Menstrual related symptomatology in adolescents: The effects of attitudes, first menstrual experience, and parental factors. Paper presented at the second annual Conference on Interdisciplinary Research on the Menstrual Cycle, St. Louis, May 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brooks-Gunn, J., and Ruble, D. N. Menarche: The interaction of physiology, cultural, and social factors. In A. J. Dan, E. A. Graham, and C. P. Beecher (Eds.), The menstrual cycle: A synthesis of interdisciplinary research. New York: Springer, 1980a.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brooks-Gunn, J., and Ruble, D. N. The menstrual attitude questionnaire. Psychosomatic Medicine, 1980b, 42 (5), 503–512.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brooks-Gunn, J., and Ruble, D. N. Psychological determinants of menstrual product use in adolescent girls. Annals of Internal Medicine, 1982a, 96 (6), 962–965.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brooks-Gunn J., and Ruble, D. N. The development of menstrual-related beliefs and behaviors during early adolescence. Child Development, 1982b, 53, 1567–1577.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brooks-Gunn, J. and Ruble, D. N. Developmental processes in the experience of menstruation. In A. Baum and J. E. Singer (Eds.), Handbook of medical psychology. Vol. 1. Hillsdale, New Jersey: L. Erlbaum, 1982c.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brooks, J., Ruble, D. N., and Clark, A. College women’s attitudes and expectations concerning menstrual-related changes. Psychosomatic Medicine, 1977, 39, 288–298.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Clausen, J. A. The social meaning of differential physical and sexual maturation. In S. E. Dragaster and G. H. Elder, Jr. (Eds.), Adolescence in the life cycle. New York: Halstead; 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunham, G. Timing and sources of information about and attitudes toward menstruation among college females. Journal of Genetic Psychology, 1979, 117, 205–207.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Englander-Golden, P., Whitmore, M. R., and Dienstbier, R. A. Menstrual cycle as a focus of study and self reports of moods and behaviors. Motivation and Emotion, 1978, 2, 7586.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Faust, N. S. Developmental maturity as a determinant in prestige of adolescent girls. Child Development, 1960, 31, 173–186.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Frank, A. The Diary of a young girl. New York: Pocket Books, 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freud, A. Adolescence. In R. S. Eissler (Ed.), Psychoanalytic study of the child. Vol. 13. New York: International Universities Press, 1958.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haan, N. Personality development from adolescence to adulthood in the Oakland growth and guidance studies. Seminars in Psychiatry, 1972, 4 (4) 399–414.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Haft, M. H. An exploratory study of early adolescent girls: Body image, self acceptance, acceptance of traditional female role, and response to menstruation. Unpublished doctoral thesis, Columbia University, 1973.

    Google Scholar 

  • Henton, C. L. The effect of socio-economic and emotional factors on the onset of menarche among Negro and white girls. Journal of Genetic Psychology, 1961, 98, 255–268.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hollingshead, A. B., and Redlich, F. C. Social class and mental illness: A community study. New York: Wiley and Sons, 1958.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klein, J. R., and Litt, I. F. Epidemiology of adolescent dysmenorrhea. Pediatrics, 1981, 68, 66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Konopka, G. Young girls: A portrait of adolescence. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  • Larsen, U. L. Sources of menstrual information: A comparison of age groups. Family Life Coordinator, 1961, 10, 41–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maccoby, E. E., and Jacklin, C. N. The psychology of sex differences. Stanford, Calif: Stanford University Press, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • May, R. R., Mood shifts and the menstrual cycle. Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine, 1976, 20, 125–130.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moos, R. H. The development of the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire. Psychosomatic Medicine, 1968, 30, 853–867.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Parlee, M. B. The premenstrual syndrome. Psychological Bulletin, 1973, 80, 454–465.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Parlee, M. B. Stereotypic beliefs about menstruation: A methodological note on the Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire. Psychosomatic Medicine,1974, 36(3),229–240.

    Google Scholar 

  • Penny, R., Parlow, A. F., Olambiwonnie, N. O., and Frasier, S. D. Evolution of the menstrual pattern of gonadotropin and sex steroid concentrations in serum. Acta Endrocinology, 1977, 84, 79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peskin, H. Influence of the developmental schedule of puberty on learning and ego development. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 1973, 2, 273–290.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peskin, H., and Livson, N. Pre and post pubertal personality and adult psychologic functioning. Seminars in Psychology, 1972, 4, 343–355.

    Google Scholar 

  • Petersen, A. C. Puberty and its psychosocial significance in girls. In A. J. Dan, E. A. Graham, and C. P. Beecher (Eds.), The menstrual cycle: A synthesis of interdisciplinary research. New York: Springer, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruble, D. N. Premenstrual symptoms: A reinterpretation. Science, 1977, 197, 291–292.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ruble, D. N. and Brooks-Gunn, J. Menstrual symptoms: A social cognition analysis. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 1979, 2 (2), 171–194.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ruble, D. N., and Brooks-Gunn, J. The experience of menarche. Child Development, 1982, 53, 1557–1566.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shainess, N. A re-evaluation of some aspects of femininity through a study of menstruation: A preliminary report. Comparative Psychiatry, 1961, 2, 20–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simmons, R. G., and Rosenberg, M. Sex, sex-roles and self-image. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 1975, 4, 229–258.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simmons, R. G., Rosenberg, F., and Rosenberg, N. Disturbance in the self-image at adolescence. American Sociological Review, 1973, 38, 553–568.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Simmons, R. D., Brown, L., Bush, D. M., and Blyth, D. A. Self-esteem and the achievement of black and white early adolescents. Social Problems, 1978, 26, 86–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sommer, B. Puberty and adolescence. New York: Oxford, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tobin-Richards, M. H., and Petersen, A. C. Early adolescents’ perceptions of their physical development. Paper presented in a Symposium on Puberty: Social and Psychological Significance presented at the American Psychological Association Meetings in Los Angeles, CA, September, 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vollman, R. F. The menstrual cycle. Philadelphia: WB Saunders, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whisnant, L. and Zegans, L. A. A study of attitudes toward menarche in white middle-class American girls. American Journal of Psychiatry, 1975, 132, 809–814.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wildholm. O. Dysmenorrhea during adolescence. Acta Obstetrica et Gynaecologica Scandinavica, 1979, 87, 61–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wildholm, O., and Kantero, R. L. A statistical analysis of the menstrual patterns of 8,000 girls and their mothers. Acta Obstetrica et Gynaecologica Scandinavica (Suppl.), 1971, 14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Winter, J. S. D., and Faiman, C. The development of cyclic pituitary and gonadal function in adolescent females. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 1973, 37, 714.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1983 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Brooks-Gunn, J., Ruble, D.N. (1983). The Experience of Menarche from a Developmental Perspective. In: Brooks-Gunn, J., Petersen, A.C. (eds) Girls at Puberty. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0354-9_8

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0354-9_8

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4899-0356-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-0354-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics