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. 2011 Mar 31;29(3):217–227. doi: 10.1007/s11195-011-9204-x

Table 2.

The distribution of the behavior and the reactions of the students to puberty symptoms

Reactions to the puberty symptoms Female (n = 297) Male (n = 303) Total (N = 600) χ2, p, df
Being disturbed by the puberty symptoms χ2 = 60.454
Yes 151 (50.8) 62 (20.5) 213 (35.5) p = .000
No 146 (49.2) 241 (79.5) 387 (64.5) df:1
People informed about the puberty symptoms
Mother 246 (82.8) 66 (21.8) 312 (52.0) χ2 = 237.868
Father 1 (0.3) 50 (16.5) 51 (8.5) p = .000
Friend 18 (6.1) 95 (31.4) 113 (18.8) df:4
Sibling 13 (4.4) 16 (5.3) 29 (4.8)
Other (teacher, relative) 19 (6.4) 76 (25.1) 95 (15.8)
Feelings when the puberty symptoms occur
Hiding 18 (6.1) 26 (8.6) 44 (7.3) χ2 = 55.840
Shame 81 (27.3) 27 (8.9) 108 (18.0) p = .000
Fear 35 (11.8) 11 (3.6) 46 (7.7) df:4
Confusion 84 (28.3) 114 (37.6) 198 (33.0)
Other 79 (26.6) 125 (41.3) 204 (34.0)
Change of the dressing style in puberty χ2 = 11.602
Yes 212 (71.4) 176 (58.1) 388 (64.7) p = .000
No 85 (28.6) 127 (41.9) 212 (35.3) df:1
Influence of puberty on friendship χ2 = 1.282
Yes 75 (25.3) 89 (29.4) 164 (27.3) p = .258
No 222 (74.7) 214 (49.1) 436 (72.7) df:1
Puberty symptoms they are happy with χ2 = 31.263
Growth of breasts 17 (5.7) 13 (4.3) 30 (5.0) p = .000
Hair growth 4 (1.3) 24 (7.9) 28 (4.7) df:3
Increase in height 261 (87.9) 223 (73.6) 484 (80.7)
Other (age, etc.) 15 (5.1) 43 (14.2) 58 (9.7)
Symptoms they are unhappy with χ2 = 23.241
Pimples 137 (46.1) 162 (53.2) 299 (49.8) p = .000
Increase in weight 63 (21.2) 67 (22.1) 130 (21.7) df:3
Hair growth 72 (24.2) 31 (10.2) 103 (17.2)
Other 25 (8.4) 43 (14.2) 68 (11.3)