title: [Pubertal maturation, physical self-esteem and sexuality in a sample of French adolescents].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to explore the links between pubertal maturation, physical self-esteem and sexuality in adolescence, differentiating between boys and girls.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample was comprised of 312 French secondary school children (seventh and ninth grades); 52.6 % (n=164) of whom were girls. Participants answered three self-evaluation questionnaires: the scale of sexuality (interests, emotions, relationships: IERS) in prime adolescence (12 to 15 years); (b) the self-administered rating scale for pubertal development and (c) the Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (PSDQ).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pubertal maturation was associated with higher scores on "Flirting with the aim of having sexual relations" and "Going out with someone", and a drop in overall and physical self-esteem, mainly in socially valued domains, namely "Body fat" for girls, and "Strength" and "Health" for boys. Overall physical self-esteem was associated with "Going out with someone" and "Flirting with the aim of having sexual relations" in boys.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Physical changes at puberty induce two distinct trends in adolescents: sexual exploration and discovery (genitalized body), and self-depreciation (social body).
authors.affiliation: Département de psychologie, EA 6291 « cognition santé et socialisation », université de Reims-Champagne-Ardenne, 51000 Reims, France. Electronic address: catherine.potard@univ-reims.fr.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Potard
authors.affiliation: Département de psychologie, EA 2114 « Psychologie des âges de la vie », PRES Centre-Val-de-Loire université, université François-Rabelais de Tours, 37041 Tours cedex, France; Clinique psychiatrique universitaire, CHRU de Tours, 37044 Tours cedex, France.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Courtois
authors.affiliation: Département de psychologie, EA 2114 « Psychologie des âges de la vie », PRES Centre-Val-de-Loire université, université François-Rabelais de Tours, 37041 Tours cedex, France.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Clarisse
authors.affiliation: Département de psychologie, EA 2114 « Psychologie des âges de la vie », PRES Centre-Val-de-Loire université, université François-Rabelais de Tours, 37041 Tours cedex, France.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Le Floc'h
authors.affiliation: Département de psychologie, EA 2114 « Psychologie des âges de la vie », PRES Centre-Val-de-Loire université, université François-Rabelais de Tours, 37041 Tours cedex, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thomine
authors.affiliation: Département de psychologie, EA 2114 « Psychologie des âges de la vie », PRES Centre-Val-de-Loire université, université François-Rabelais de Tours, 37041 Tours cedex, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Réveillère
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001828:Body Image; D002648:Child; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength; D011627:Puberty / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012741:Sexual Maturation; D019529:Sexuality / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Adolescence; Estime de soi corporelle; Maturation pubertaire; Physical self-esteem; Psychosexual behaviour; Pubertal maturation; Puberty; Puberté; Sexualité