1995 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary
A Study of Sexual Development in Female.
Project/Area Number |
06610114
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Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for General Scientific Research (C)
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Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
Research Field |
教育・社会系心理学
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Research Institution | Osaka University |
Principal Investigator |
HINOBAYASHI Toshihiko Osaka university, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, Associate Professor, 健康体育部, 助教授 (80156611)
|
Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
MINAMI Tetsuhiro Osaka university, Faculty of Human Sciences, Associate professor, 人間科学部, 助教授 (40030043)
|
Project Period (FY) |
1994 – 1995
|
Keywords | sexual development / menarche / gender identity / secular trend |
Research Abstract |
The overall purpose of our study is to examine how biology and psychological factors interact to affect the development of sexualty in females' adolescence. The present study aims to investigate the sexual development in Japanese 62,275females, from 10years to 15years old. The menarche stands as our primary indicator of the onset of sexual matuirty in females. The mean menarcheal age of Japanese female has been estimated by probit analysis. The data have been collected at random from schools in all 47prefectures during the February in1992. The mean menarcheal age in the total sample was the lowest on the records for Europe and the USA : 12year and 3.7month, with a S.D.of 1year and 0.1month. In the 47prefectures, the most lowest mean age at menarche was 12years and 0.1month of the Okinawa prefecture. Females in Okinawa prefecture grow most rapidly and tend to make a denial of self sexual identity. In Okinawa prefecture, the interplay of biology and the social environment in shaping the development of sexuality is apparent. In the total sample, increases in menarcheal experience contribute to explaining sexual identity. Pubertal development and its social interpretation have additional effects in putting females at high risk of identity cofusion. The hormonal changes of puberty may exert strong influence on the personalities of adolescents. Preliminary analysis suggests that the personality effects of menarche may disappear in late adolescent. Conclusionaly, it can be seen that we have a lot to learn about the sexual development of adolescent and how pubertal development, menarche, and social process affect it.
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Research Products
(12 results)