There is some evidence to suggest that the rate of maturation, and when it occurs can have an effect on the self-esteem of the individual. Physical size, shape and appearance can be stressful to the adolescent. It has been found that characteristics, in order, boys looked for in girls were : good looks, good body, friendliness, intelligence; girls looked for in boys : intelligence, good looks, good body, good conversationalist. This reinforces the adolescent's concerns for physical attractiveness and goes some way to explaining why they spend so much time in front of mirrors and large amounts of money on clothes and cosmetics in attempts to make themselves more attractive. One researcher observed that early maturing girls were more likely to be respected and liked as they were perceived as attractive to older boys and were able to offer advice to less mature girls. Boys who matured later than their contemporaries appear to suffer from stress in that it can affect their self-esteem through their lives. One study found that late maturing boys were inclined to be less poised, less relaxed and more talkative than those who matured early. They were also less likely to be chosen as leaders. Follow up studies were conducted on the same late maturing individuals when they were 33 years old and again when they were aged 38. Most of the subjects had reached at least average height but a number of earlier personality characteristics remained as did feelings of social inferiority. They were also found to have less responsible positions at work and had feelings of inferiority and rejection.

Thus in order to counteract the feelings of stress, brought on by very early and very late maturers, it would seem to be important that teachers and parents deal positively with the special emotional needs of such individuals in order to minimise long lasting feelings of inferiority and rejection.