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

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.