ObjectivesTo systematically review the association between pubertal development progression and emotional and behavioral problems.MethodsVIP, CNKI, CBM, WanFang Data, PubMed, Web of Science and EBSCO databases were electronically searched to collect studies on the relationship between pubertal tempo or trajectory and emotional and behavioral problems from inception to December 31st, 2019. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed risk of bias of included studies. Qualitative methods were then used to analyze the data.ResultsA total of 14 cohort studies were included. The results showed that depression was the most studied emotional problem, and 2 of the 3 studies found a significant association between faster pubertal tempo and more depressive symptoms in juvenile males. However, no association was found in 3 of the 4 studies on juvenile females. The content of behavioral problems of included studies was broad, including internalizing and externalizing problems, substance abuse, attention problem, self-control, first-sexual experience, delinquency, conduct disorder, peer relationship, etc. However, few studies on the same behaviors, and the relationship between behavioral problems was unclear.ConclusionsThe faster pubertal tempo may be associated with depression in juvenile males. The association between pubertal tempo and behavioral problems in males and females remain to be determined by more studies.