The Impact of the Pandemic on Puberty and Mental Health in Girls

The COVID-19 pandemic, which began in 2020, drastically disrupted everyday life, most notably affecting adolescents' social interactions and educational routines. Despite these upheavals, the process of puberty continued among young girls, prompting researchers to investigate how these unprecedented circumstances influenced their mental health.

Kathleen McCormick, a psychology doctoral candidate at Cornell University, explored how puberty and depression are interconnected during the pandemic. She emphasized that puberty is not just a biological phase but also a highly social one, with many of its changes occurring in social contexts. Traditionally, studies have shown that advanced pubertal development and early pubertal timing are associated with increased depressive symptoms in girls. However, her recent research, published in
Research on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology, indicated that during the pandemic, this link was less evident.

One possible explanation is that remote learning allowed girls to hide certain physical developments, altering the typical social dynamics associated with puberty. Alternatively, the pervasive stress and anxiety caused by the pandemic might have overshadowed pubertal effects on mental health, leading to a different pattern of depressive symptoms.

Data from McCormick's study revealed a significant rise in depressive symptoms among girls during the pandemic. Using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children, scores increased from an average of 14.20 pre-pandemic to 23.65 during the pandemic—a clear indication of heightened depression levels, as scores above 15 suggest probable depression.

The study also examined the relationship between menarche, the first menstrual period, and depression. Girls who experienced menarche at an earlier age during the pandemic reported higher levels of depression, whereas age at menarche did not influence depression in the pre-pandemic group. Additionally, there was a positive correlation between time since menarche and depression onset, suggesting that this relationship warrants further investigation.

McCormick highlights the importance of understanding these dynamics, especially given the diverse sample of nearly 600 girls from across the country. The ability to collect data outside local regions has expanded research possibilities and strengthened understanding of adolescent development during extraordinary times.

Overall, the pandemic has underscored the complex interplay between biological, social, and psychological factors affecting adolescent girls' mental health, emphasizing the need for targeted support during times of societal stress.

For more detailed insights, refer to Kathleen C. McCormick et al., "Growing Up in the Pandemic: Examining Associations Between Reproductive Development and Depressive Symptoms in Pre- and Pandemic Girls," Research on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology (2025). Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-pandemic-puberty-impact-girls-mental.html