Sexual Maturation, Attitudes towards Sexual Maturity, and Body Esteem in Elementary-School Children.
10.4069/kjwhn.2018.24.2.219
- Author:
Sunah PARK
1
;
Eunyoung CHOI
;
Eunhee LEE
;
Mikyeong BYEON
;
Byeongju LEE
;
Kyea JUNG
Author Information
1. Department of Nursing, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Wonju, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Sexual maturation;
Attitude;
Child
- MeSH:
Breast;
Child*;
Cross-Sectional Studies;
Female;
Genitalia;
Hair;
Humans;
Sexual Development;
Sexual Maturation*
- From:Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing
2018;24(2):219-228
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate sexual maturation, attitudes toward sexual maturity, and body esteem in the sexual development of Korean elementary-school boys and girls. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 399 fifth and sixth graders (192 boys and 207 girls). The data were analysed with a χ2 test, t-test, and Pearson correlation coefficients. RESULTS: Among the 207 girls, 70.5% had pubic hair growth, 68.1% had breast development, and 56.0% had a menstrual period. In boys, 59.4% of the 192 subjects experienced the development of external genitalia and 52.6% had pubic hair growth. Sexual maturation was related to grade (boys, t=7.07, p=.008; girls, t=12.76, p < .001), age (t=−2.20, p=.030; t=−4.11, p < .001), height (t=−5.16, p < .001; t=−7.52, p < .001), and weight (t=−2.89, p=.004; t=−5.19, p < .001) in both boys and girls. Girls were more likely to have sexual maturity than boys (χ2=22.29, p < .001). Boys showed more positive attitudes toward sexual maturity (t=2.10, p=.036) and higher body esteem (t=2.12, p=.035) than girls. CONCLUSION: This study shows that sexual maturation, attitude toward sexual maturity, and body esteem in sexual development differ between boys and girls. The findings indicate that it is necessary to develop a tailored sex-education program according to the sex of elementary-school children.
