The Self-Rating Scale for Pubertal Development was adapted from an instrument described in Petersen AC, Crockett L, Richards M & Boxer A (1988). A self-report measure of pubertal status: reliability, validity, and initial norms. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 17, 117-133 and further described in Crockett (1988, unpublished).

Results of our study using this instrument for children in grades 4 through 6 are reported in:

Carskadon MA & Acebo C (1993). A self-administered rating scale for pubertal development. Journal of Adolescent Health, 14, 190-5.

Carskadon MA, Vieira C & Acebo, C (1993). Association between puberty and delayed phase preference. Sleep, 16, 258-262.

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Scoring Algorithms:

For Items 1 through 4 on the girls’ version and all items on the boys’ version, response options were: not yet started (1 point); barely started (2 points); definitely started (3 points); seems complete (4 points); I don’t know (missing). Yes on the menstruation item = 4 points; no = 1 point. Point values are averaged for all items to give a Pubertal Development Scale (PDS) score.

Puberty Category Scores are computed using the criteria of Crockett (1988, unpublished) by totaling the scale values given above.

To compute Puberty Category Scores for boys use body hair growth, voice change, and facial hair growth as follows:

Prepubertal = 3
Early Pubertal = 4 or 5 (no 3-point responses)
Midpubertal = 6, 7, or 8 (no 4-points)
Late pubertal = 9-11
Postpubertal = 12

To compute Puberty Category Scores for girls use body hair growth, breast development, and menarche as follows:

Prepubertal = 2 and no menarche
Early Puberty = 3 and no menarche
Midpubertal = > 3 and no menarche
Late Puberty = <= 7 and menarche
Postpubertal = 8 and menarche.