Comparison of self-esteem and anxiety levels among children with and without precocious puberty

Abstract

Aims: This study compared the self-esteem and anxiety levels of children diagnosed with precocious puberty (PP) and healthy children. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study design was performed. Female children with PP and healthy controls were compared for self-esteem and anxiety using the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (CSEI) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children with two sections including the State Anxiety Inventory for Children (SAIC) and the Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (TAIC). Results: The study included 172 children, 86 females with PP [median age (minimum-maximum) 9.41 (8-12.42) years] and 86 healthy controls [median age (minimum-maximum) 9.41 (8.08-12.08) years]. The SAIC scores of female children with PP were significantly higher than that of children without PP [27 (20-51) vs. 24 (20-43), respectively, p=0.002]. There were no differences in TAIC scores [33 (22-53) vs. 32 (20-50), p=0.062] and CSEI scores [80 (28-100) vs. 82 (48-100), p=0.196] between children with and without PP. A negative correlation was observed between the CSEI and SAIC scores in both children with PP (r=-0.354, p<0.001) and without PP (r=-0.339, p<0.001). A negative correlation was observed between the CSEI scores and the TAIC scores in both children with PP (r=-0.684, p<0.001) and without PP (r=-0.504, p=<0.001). Conclusions: The results of this study showed that female children with PP had higher state anxiety than non-PP peers. In both groups, self-esteem scores increased while anxiety scores decreased.