Girls who mature ______ and boys who mature ______ seem to have a greater risk for psychological problems and social difficulties:

Early; late is the correct answer.

The timing of puberty can have a significant impact on an adolescent\'s psychological and social adjustment. Research has shown that girls who mature early often face greater emotional and social challenges than their peers. Early physical development may expose them to increased social expectations, peer pressure, body image concerns, anxiety, depression, and a higher likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors. As a result, early-maturing girls are considered more vulnerable to psychological difficulties during adolescence.

For boys, the pattern is generally different. Late-maturing boys are more likely to experience problems with self-esteem, confidence, and social acceptance because they may be smaller and physically less developed than their classmates. These differences can make them feel excluded from peer groups, sports, or other activities that value physical maturity, increasing the risk of emotional and social difficulties.

Although individual experiences vary, developmental psychologists consistently report that the combination of early maturation in girls and late maturation in boys is associated with the greatest likelihood of adjustment problems. Therefore, among the given options, Early; late is the correct answer and is frequently tested in psychology and education examinations.