Boys 'affected' by early puberty hormones

Early hormonal changes in boys as young as eight are linked to emotional and behavioural problems, a new study says.

The findings challenge the belief that puberty is implicated in the onset of mental health problems, says Dr Lisa Munday, lead author of the Murdoch Children's Research Institute study.

"(The) results show that early hormonal changes, which take place before puberty proper are linked with emotional and behavioural problems, particularly in boys," she says.

"This tells us that this is a sensitive period of development and might be an important time for early interventions to reduce issues like bullying and other peer problems, which are known to be linked with mental health problems."

The Childhood to Adolescence Transition Study study involved more than 1200 eight and nine-year-olds.

Researchers collected saliva samples to test hormone levels and used parental reports to gather data about the child's health and development.

They found high levels of adrenal androgens, hormones that rise during the early phase of puberty, were associated with increased mental health symptoms and peer relationship and behavioural problems.

The findings are published in the Journal of Adolescent Health.