ERIC Number: EJ1008116
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013-Jun
Pages: 7
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0012-1649
EISSN: N/A
Longitudinal Reliability of Self-Reported Age at Menarche in Adolescent Girls: Variability across Time and Setting
Dorn, Lorah D.; Sontag-Padilla, Lisa M.; Pabst, Stephanie; Tissot, Abbigail; Susman, Elizabeth J.
Developmental Psychology, v49 n6 p1187-1193 Jun 2013
Age at menarche is critical in research and clinical settings, yet there is a dearth of studies examining its reliability in adolescents. We examined age at menarche during adolescence, specifically, (a) average method reliability across 3 years, (b) test-retest reliability between time points and methods, (c) intraindividual variability of reports, and (d) whether intraindividual variability differed by setting or individual characteristics. Girls (n = 253) were enrolled in a cross-sequential study in age cohorts (11, 13, 15, and 17 years). Age at menarche was assessed using 3 annual, in-person clinician interviews followed by 9 quarterly phone interviews conducted by research assistants. Reliability of age at menarche across time was moderate and varied by method. In-person interviews showed greater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.77) versus phone interviews (ICC = 0.64). Test-retest reliability in reports did not decrease across time. However, average differences in reported age varied as much as 2.3 years (SD = 2.2 years), with approximately 9% demonstrating differences greater than 4.5 years. Pubertal timing category (i.e., early, late) changed for 22.7% if categorized at the final versus the first report of age at menarche. Reliability was moderate, but average differences in reported age were notable and concerning. Using in-person clinician interviews may enhance reliability. Researchers and clinicians should be cognizant of the implications of using different methods measuring age at menarche when interpreting research findings. (Contains 4 tables.)
Descriptors: Females, Individual Characteristics, Puberty, Research Methodology, Correlation, Research Assistants, Longitudinal Studies, Reliability, Age Differences, Individual Differences, Case Studies, Interviews, Telecommunications, Health Personnel
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A