Exploring mechanisms behind the increasing gender gap in adolescent psychological symptoms, 2002-2022: the role of national-level gender equality.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Internalising problems have increased considerably among adolescents in the last decades, particularly among girls, resulting in widening gender gaps. This study examined whether the gender gap in psychological symptoms increased more in more gender-equal countries in the period 2002-2022, and if so, to what extent this could be explained by changes over time in the experience of stressors (i.e. schoolwork pressure, body dissatisfaction, low classmate support) among boys and girls in these countries.

Methods

National data on gender inequality (UNDP Gender Inequality Index) were combined with aggregated individual-level data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study (2002-2022) across 43 countries (N = 1,268,220). Absolute and relative gender g

SUBMITTER: de Looze ME 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12018292 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature