Puberty brings a cascade of changes—physical, emotional, and social. New research suggests that teens who feel prepared to handle these changes experience better mental health through puberty.
A study published in the Journal of Adolescence introduces the concept of "pubertal self-efficacy"—how confident adolescents feel in their ability to manage the challenges that come with puberty. Researchers at Cornell found that teens with higher pubertal self-efficacy reported fewer symptoms of [depression](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/depression “P…
Puberty brings a cascade of changes—physical, emotional, and social. New research suggests that teens who feel prepared to handle these changes experience better mental health through puberty.
A study published in the Journal of Adolescence introduces the concept of "pubertal self-efficacy"—how confident adolescents feel in their ability to manage the challenges that come with puberty. Researchers at Cornell found that teens with higher pubertal self-efficacy reported fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety. This occurred when they were able to manage the social and emotional aspects of puberty, such as conflicts with parents or friends, shifts in identity, and evolving peer groups.
The research team, led by doctoral student Christopher Davis and Professor of Psychology Jane Mendle, assessed 124 middle school students aged 12 to 15. Participants filled out surveys to measure their depressive and anxiety symptoms, pubertal development, and two types of stress: general life stress and puberty-specific stress related to the physical and social changes of adolescence.
They found that pubertal self-efficacy seemed to buffer against mental health symptoms, even in the presence of stress. Although all of the participants experienced more mental health challenges during early adolescence, teens with higher confidence in managing puberty were less likely to experience these symptoms.
Perhaps most encouraging is that the protective effect appeared consistent across age, gender, and pubertal timing. While girls and young women typically experience higher rates of depression and anxiety than boys, the study found that when girls had the same level of pubertal self-efficacy as boys, they reported similar levels of symptoms. This suggests that building confidence around puberty could help narrow gender disparities in adolescent mental health.
Self-efficacy has been extensively studied in other domains—like academics and athletics—but this research represents the first focused examination of self-efficacy specifically related to puberty. The findings align with broader self-efficacy research showing that confidence in one’s ability to handle challenges can be protective across many life domains.
So, what can parents and caregivers do to build pubertal self-efficacy in teens? Davis emphasizes the importance of open communication.
“Talk with your kids about the changes that might happen, or that may make them uncomfortable. Parents can even talk about their own experiences and how they dealt with puberty,” Davis said. “We’re preparing them for the unknown, and we’re allowing them to be a bit more confident going through that.”
Timing matters, too. Because puberty often begins earlier than many families expect, these conversations may need to start sooner than parents might think. Preparing adolescents before the transition begins can help establish the foundation for confidence that will support them as they navigate puberty.
While this preliminary research is promising, Davis notes that more work is needed, including longitudinal studies that follow youth over time to better understand how pubertal self-efficacy develops and changes.
Still, the take-home message is clear: Preparing teens for puberty isn’t just about explaining what will happen—it’s about building their confidence so they can handle it.