Adapted version of the Pubertal Development Scale for use in Brazil

Author(s)

Pompeia, Sabine ^[1] ; Valverde Zanini, Gislaine de Almeida ^[2] ; de Freitas, Rafaella Sales ^[2] ; Cabana Inacio, Luanna Maristella ^[1] ; da Silva, Flavia Calanca ^[3] ; de Souza, Giovana Ribeiro ^[4] ; de Souza Vitalle, Maria Sylvia ^[3] ; Niskier, Sheila Rejane ^[4] ; Cogo-Moreira, Hugo ^[5]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Psicobiol, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Programa Posgrad Psicobiol, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Programa Posgrad Saude Colet, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[4] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Setor Med Adolescente, Dept Pediat, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[5] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Psiquiatria, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Revista de Saúde Pública; v. 53, 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To determine whether scores in an adapted version of the self-assessment Pubertal Development Scale into Portuguese match those from the gold standard in pubertal development (Tanner scale). METHODS This was a cross-sectional study with a convenience sample of 133 children and adolescents aged nine to 17 years (59 males; mean age of 13 years and six months, with standard deviation = 25 months). Youngsters completed the Pubertal Development Scale and were then examined by specialists in adolescent medicine. RESULTS Exact absolute agreement of pubertal stages were modest, but significant associations between measures (correlation; intra-class correlation coefficients of consistency) showed that the Pubertal Development Scale adequately measures changes that map onto pubertal development determined by physical examination, on par with international publications. Furthermore, scores obtained from each Pubertal Development Scale question reflected adequate gonadal and adrenal events assessed by clinical ratings, mostly with medium/high effect sizes. Latent factors obtained from scores on all Pubertal Development Scale questions had excellent fit indices in Confirmatory Factor Analyses and correlated with Tanner staging. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that self-assessment of body changes by youngsters using the Portuguese version of the Pubertal Development Scale is useful when estimates of pubertal progression are sufficient, and exact agreement with clinical staging is not necessary. The Pubertal Development Scale is, therefore, a reliable instrument for use in large-scale studies in Brazil that aim at investigating adolescent health related to pubertal developmental. The translated version and scoring systems are provided. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/14750-0 - Effects of puberal development on self-regulation of behaviour and its relation with present and past life condition
• Grantee: Sabine Pompéia
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/01908-7 - Effect of standardized instructions on improvement of pubertal staging by Tanner
• Grantee: Rafaella Sales de Freitas
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 17/06708-6 - Impulsivity and its relations with pubertal development
• Grantee: Luanna Maristella Cabanal Inacio
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation