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Biological maturation as a confounding factor in the relation between chronological age and health-related quality of life in adolescent females

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Abstract

Purpose

To examine the potential confounding effect of biological maturation on the relations between chronological age and health-related quality of life in adolescent British females.

Methods

Biological maturation, chronological age, and health-related quality of life were assessed in 366 British female students in years 7–10 (M = 13.0 years, SD = 0.8). The Kid-Screen 10 was used to assess health-related quality of life. Percentage of predicted adult height attained at measurement was used as an estimate of biological maturation.

Results

Pearson product moment correlation demonstrated a statistically significant inverse relation between chronological age and health-related quality of life. This relation was, however, attenuated and non-significant once biological maturation was controlled for.

Conclusions

Researchers studying health-related quality of life in youth should consider and/or control for the potential confounding effect of biological maturation.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by Grant #SG-46063 from The British Academy, entitled ‘Relations Between Biological Maturation, Exercise Behavior, and Psychological Health in British Adolescents’. Sean P. Cumming and Fiona B. Gillison are part of the Sport and Exercise Science Research Group, School for Health, University of Bath, UK; Lauren Sherar is part of the College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan, Canada. Correspondence concerning this article should be sent to Sean P. Cumming, School for Health, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom, BA2 7AY.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Bath, Bath, UK

    Sean P. Cumming & Fiona B. Gillison

  2. The University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada

    Lauren B. Sherar

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  1. Sean P. Cumming
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  2. Fiona B. Gillison
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  3. Lauren B. Sherar
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Correspondence to Sean P. Cumming.

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Cumming, S.P., Gillison, F.B. & Sherar, L.B. Biological maturation as a confounding factor in the relation between chronological age and health-related quality of life in adolescent females. Qual Life Res 20, 237–242 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-010-9743-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-010-9743-0

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