An Extension of the Steinberg Accelerating Hypothesis

Abstract

Informed by theoretical work of Hill and Holmbeck and empirical work on parent-child relations, children's reproductive development, and family structure, this study builds on the Steinberg accelerating hypothesis, which states that parent-child distance accelerates children s pubertal maturation. The sample consisted of 709 young adolescents (362 girls and 347 boys) and their mothers or fathers, who completed questionnaires at two time periods, 2 years apart. Parent-adolescent questionnaires included measures of parent-child emotional distance, peer influence, and child self-governance. Regression analyses indicated that effects of parent-child relationships on the rate of children's pubertal change differed by gender of child and family structure. Effects were more evident in girls, for intact families, and for children's reports. Although results supported the Steinberg accelerating hypothesis when parent-child distance was measured in terms of peer influence and child self-governance, results were opposite from those predicted for parent-child emotional distance.