The Impact of Pubertal Signs on Body Appreciation and Loneliness in Adolescent Girls

Background: Adolescent girls face unique challenges regarding body appreciation and loneliness, often intensified by developmental changes like puberty.Aim: This study was conducted with aim to investigate the impact of pubertal signs on body appreciation and loneliness among middle school girls.Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted on ۲۸۱ middle school girls aged ۱۳–۱۵ years in Neyshabur. The statistical population included all female middle school students in Neyshabur during the ۲۰۲۳–۲۰۲۴ academic year. A school was selected using two‑stage simple random sampling, and all available students who met the inclusion criteria were included. Eligible participants were unmarried girls with normal body mass index, willing to participate, and no psychiatric history. Pubertal signs were identified based on menstrual experience reported in the demographic questionnaire. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Body Appreciation Scale‑۲(BAS‑۲), and the UCLA Loneliness Scale‑Version ۳(LS۳). Data were analyzed by SPSS-۲۵ software. p<۰.۰۵ was considered statistically significant.Results: A significant difference was found between groups with and without signs of puberty in terms of age and BMI (p<۰.۰۰۱). However, after controlling for these factors, no significant difference was observed in body appreciation or loneliness (p>۰.۰۵). A significant negative correlation was identified between loneliness and body appreciation in both groups.Implications for Practice: Puberty alone may not determine body appreciation or loneliness, emphasizing the need to explore social and environmental influences. Supportive family interactions and school based educational, counseling, and peer programs may reduce loneliness and enhance body appreciation, contributing to better adolescent mental health.

کلیدواژه ها:

Body image ، Menstruation ، Social isolation