Gender Differences In Adolescents Research Articles

Adolescent gender differences in the determinants of tobacco smoking: a cross sectional survey among high school students in São Paulo

BackgroundDiverse psychosocial factors have been associated with the use of cigarettes by adolescents. We investigated gender differences in tobacco smoking, and factors correlated with smoking among boys and girls.MethodsData was collected on recent cigarette smoking (CS) and related factors, with a focus on religious beliefs, leisure activities, family structure, relationships and parental monitoring from 2,691 private school-attending youths from 28 schools in São Paulo, Brazil, selected via probability sampling. Estimates were derived via weighted hierarchical logistic regression models.ResultsThere was no difference in the prevalence of recent cigarette smoking between boys and girls (14.2%). Older age (aORboys = 1.71[1.33-2.21]; aORgirls = 1.73[1.35-2.23]), second-hand smoke exposure at home (aORboys = 1.52[1.00-2.29]; aORgirls = 1.74[1.13-2.68]) and not having a religion (aORboys = 1.99[1.41-2.81]; aORgirls = 1.78[1.14-2.78]) were associated with CS in boys and girls. Adolescents who went out often at night were more likely to be tobacco smokers (aORboys = 8.82[3.96-19.67]; aORgirls = 14.20[6.64-30.37]). For girls, data suggest that CS was also associated with a lack of parental attention and care (aORgirls = 4.37[1.19-16.04]) and no participation in youth religious activities (aORgirls = 2.76[1.49-5.12]). For boys, CS was additionally associated with the loss of one or both parents (aORboys = 3.75[1.78-7.85]).ConclusionsAlthough older age, living with smokers at home and lack of religion were common contributing factors to cigarette smoking among all adolescents, girls were influenced to a greater degree by family relationships and religiosity than boys. The study results may be materially important to the development of prevention programs that influence determinants connected to gender and the implementation of single-core models of prevention; gender differences must be considered in order to reduce adolescent CS.

Adolescent Gender and Ethnicity Differences in Physical Activity Perceptions and Behavior

To examine gender and ethnicity differences in adolescents' physical activity (PA) behavior and perceptions. Surveys designed to measure PA behavior and perception were completed by 175 adolescents. Gender and ethnicity differences in PA behavior were examined using chi-square tests. A two-way between groups MANOVA was used to examine perception. No significant differences were found between gender groups for PA. Caucasian students were more likely to be active and to perceive that PA makes their health better. Hispanics were more likely to perceive that PA requires more time than Caucasians. Findings suggest greater consideration be given to the ethnic orientation of PA behavior antecedents when promoting PA to adolescents.

Personal narratives, well-being, and gender in adolescence

Relations between narratives, especially the inclusion of internal state language within narratives, and well-being have been found in adults. However, research with adolescents has been sparse and the findings inconsistent. We examined gender differences in adolescents’ personal autobiographical narratives as well as relations between internal state language and emotional well-being. Mirroring previous research with different age groups, we found that females narrate both positive and negative personal experiences in more emotional ways than do males. Also, adolescent females include more cognitive processing words indicative of self-reflection than do adolescent males. Adolescent males who told personal narratives richer in internal state language displayed higher levels of well-being, but there were no relations between internal state language in personal narratives and well-being for adolescent females. These results are interpreted in terms of gender differences in emotional processing and understanding. Directions for future research are discussed.

Cuídate Sin Pena: Mexican Mother-Adolescent Sexuality Communication

This study explores perceptions of Mexican mother-adolescent communication about sexuality. Participants interviewed included four mother-expecting son pairs and four mother-pregnant daughter pairs. Our interviews revealed important adolescent gender differences. Pena (shame/embarrassment) played a major role vis-à-vis indirect communication about sexuality between mothers and sons. Mothers believed they were communicating about sexuality when using the term cuídate (take care of yourself), but sons and daughters understood cuídate as being a more general message and therefore did not perceive it as a message of safe sexual practice. The adolescents suggested implementation strategies for social workers to promote sexuality communication between mothers and adolescents.

Gender differences in adolescents’ out-of-school literacy practices: A multifaceted approach

The present study examined the out-of-school literacy activities of 70 students in 7th grade of prevocational training schools in the Netherlands. Guttmann’s Facet Theory was applied to study literacy as a complex, multifaceted phenomenon. With the increasing influence of digital technologies, the facet design approach was found especially suited to track the many changes occurring in presentation modalities, functions, and productive versus consumptive uses of literacy. The study shows that the facet approach was useful in pinpointing how these shifts in literacy engagement turn out differently for boys and girls. Based on self-reports via an Internet questionnaire, the study shows that girls outscored boys in every aspect of literacy, including computer and Internet based literacy practices. However, while among girls a more balanced profile was found regarding the engagement in traditional and new literacy practices, the boys reported a high preference for the new digital media. Moreover, we found that girls, compared to boys, used new literacy activities more often for educational purposes. The findings suggest that, given this more balanced profile, girls, compared to boys, are less at risk of losing touch with traditional print-based educational literacy in school.

Gender differences in adolescents attending a drug and alcohol withdrawal service

Gender differences have been reported in adult substance users, but little research has examined gender differences in adolescents presenting to treatment services. This study aimed to explore gender differences in adolescents presenting to a withdrawal service. All presentations to a withdrawal service between March 2000 and September 2004 were identified. For each presentation, the following information was extracted from clinical databases: sociodemographics, drug use, risk-taking behaviour, mental health symptoms, reasons and context of drug use. Significant gender differences identified at bivariate analysis were then incorporated into multivariate models exploring predictors of heroin use, cannabis use and sharing injecting equipment. A total of 262 young people were admitted during the study period (53% male, mean age 16.8 years; SD 1.13). Bivariate analysis indicated that girls were more likely to report: being homeless, using a greater number of substances, using heroin and amphetamines, higher rates of injecting, sharing injecting equipment and using with a partner. Multivariate analysis identified that being female was an independent predictor of heroin use and that being male was an independent predictor of cannabis use. Significant predictors of sharing injecting equipment were using with a partner and current use of heroin; the effect of gender was not significant after controlling for other factors. Our findings indicate that male and female adolescents presenting to a withdrawal treatment service exhibit differences in substance use characteristics. Future research should examine the role of gender in determining optimal treatment approaches in substance-using adolescents.

Cognitive emotion regulation in the prediction of depression and submissive behavior: Gender and grade level differences in Turkish adolescents

The purpose of this research was to study the gender and grade level differences (a) in the use of cognitive emotion regulation strategies (b) with regard to the relationship between use of cognitive emotion strategies and depression, and (c) with regard to the relationship between use of cognitive emotion strategies and submissive behavior. Females reported to use Rumination more often than males while Positive refocusing, Refocus on planning and Positive reappraisal were found to be reported more often by males. In females, higher extents of reporting Blaming others were related to depression, whereas in males higher extents of Self-blame and Rumination were related to depression. In both genders higher extents of reporting Catastrophizing were found to be related to depression. In both genders Rumination was found to be a strong predictor of submissive behavior.

Gender differences in keeping secrets from parents in adolescence.

The current longitudinal study examined adolescent gender differences in the developmental changes and relational correlates of secrecy from parents. For 4 successive years, starting in the second year of junior high (mean age at Time 1 = 13.2 years, SD = 0.51), 149 male and 160 female Dutch adolescents reported on secrecy from their parents and the quality of the parent-child relationship. Latent growth curve modeling revealed a linear increase in secrecy, which was significantly faster for boys than for girls. Moreover, cross-lagged panel analyses showed clear concurrent and longitudinal linkages between secrecy from parents and poorer parent-child relationship quality in girls. In boys, much less strong linkages were found between poorer relationships and secrecy from parents.

Peer Stressors and Gender Differences in Adolescents' Mental Health: The TRAILS Study

This study tested two hypotheses about gender-specific mental health effects of peer stressors during early adolescence: (1) boys and girls are sensitive to different types of peer stressors, and (2) peer stress is associated with different mental health problems in boys and girls. These two hypotheses were tested in a prospective large population cohort of 2,084 Dutch young adolescents. Internalizing and externalizing problems were measured at baseline and follow-up, whereas stressful life events in the period between baseline and follow-up were measured retrospectively at follow-up. We performed the analyses with two types of peer stressors; victimization at school and relationship losses. Relationship losses were more strongly associated with internalizing and externalizing problems in girls than boys, supporting the first hypothesis. Peer victimization at school was also associated with both types of mental health problems, but equally strong in boys and girls. Peer stress is unlikely to be associated with different mental health problems in boys and girls. Instead, boys and girls are more likely to be susceptible to different types of peer stressors.

Understanding Gender Differences in Early Adolescents’ Sexual Prejudice

Drawing on social dominance theory and the contact hypothesis, we developed and tested a two-mediator model for explaining gender differences in early adolescents' attitudes toward gay males and lesbians. Data from more than 400 ninth graders were analyzed. As predicted, gender differences in attitudes toward gay males were partially explained by social dominance orientation (SDO) and knowing a gay male. Gender differences in attitudes toward lesbians were partially mediated by SDO, while knowing a lesbian was not a mediating variable. Beyond their mediating roles, both SDO and knowing a member of the target group each significantly added to the prediction of attitudes toward each target group. Implications for policies to reduce victimization of sexual minorities in schools are discussed.

Psychische Belastung und Geschlechtsunterschiede einer Stichprobe der stationären Jugendhilfe

Compared to the general population children and adolescents in stationary youth welfare service show higher prevalence of mental disorders. Object of the recent study was to record mental impact and gender differences in adolescents living in accommodations of the welfare youth service using a dimensional approach. The survey was realized in all stationary welfare services in the area of Bad Doberan/Germany. 42 adolescents answered Achenbach's Youth Self Report and their teachers the Teachers Report Form for mental problems. In Self Report 57% of the adolescents showed clinical relevant disorders. Girls were significantly more impaired in internal characteristics than boys. The registration of mental disorders by dimensional method confirms the high prevalence. But an adequate local psychiatric-psychotherapeutic care and therapy is rare. The results argue for a stronger integration of children and adolescent psychiatry and youth welfare system.

German Version of the Pediatric Incontinence Questionnaire for Urinary Incontinence Health Related Quality of Life

We translated and cross-culturally adapted the English version of the Pediatric Incontinence Questionnaire, and tested the reliability and validity of the German version. This cross-sectional study was done at 3 tertiary referral centers for childhood urinary incontinence. The self-reported and proxy English version was translated and cross-culturally adapted. From July 2007 to April 2008 we evaluated the German version in 91 boys and 54 girls with a mean +/- SD age of 9.3 +/- 2.2 years (range 6 to 18) with nonneurogenic urinary incontinence and in their parents. For concurrent criterion related validity, the German questionnaire scales were compared with those of the DCGM-10/-12. On reliability testing of the self-reported and proxy German versions Cronbach's alpha was 0.84 and 0.86, respectively. Interrater convergence between the self-reported and proxy versions showed an ICC of 0.81. Reproducibility was satisfactory for the self-reported and proxy versions (ICC 0.77, 95% CI 0.77-0.90 and 0.85, 95% CI 0.67-0.84, respectively). German version scores correlated with DCGM-10/-12 scores (self-report and proxy r = -0.71 and -0.69, respectively). Mean German version total scores were 23.0 in boys and 23.9 in girls. Except for a slight significant association between age and German version total score in the proxy version (p = 0.01), age, sex and incontinence type or severity (number of wet days/nights per 14 days) were not significantly associated with German version total scores. The German version of the Pediatric Incontinence Questionnaire is a valid and reliable outcome measure to assess health related quality of life in children and adolescents with urinary incontinence.

Socioeconomic and gender differences in adolescents' nutritional status in urban Cameroon, Africa

The aim of this study was to assess adolescents' nutritional status according to socioeconomic status (SES) and sex using anthropometry in urban Cameroon, Africa. Adolescent boys (n = 248) and girls (n = 333) 12 to 16 years old were recruited from randomly selected schools in a cross sectional study in Yaoundé city and grouped according to SES. Weight, height, skinfold thickness, and circumferences were measured, and body mass index, waist/hip ratio, arm muscle, and arm fat areas were calculated. Stunting, underweight, and overweight were determined using international cutoff points. Adolescents with medium and high SES were less likely to be stunted than adolescents with low SES (odds ratio [OR], 0.40; P < .01). Prevalences of stunting (12%, 6%, and 5%) and underweight (3%, 4%, and 1%) were higher among the adolescents with low and medium SES than those with high SES. Overweight prevalence was high among the adolescents with low (8%), medium (11%), and high (9%) SES. The OR for overweight was higher among girls than boys (OR, 4.13; P < .001). Girls were less likely to be stunted and underweight than boys (OR, 0.29 [P < .001] and OR, 0.20 [P < .01], respectively). Prevalences of stunting (15% and 6%) and underweight (5% and 2%) were higher among boys than girls. Pubescent adolescents were less likely to be stunted than nonpubescent (OR, 0.53; P < .05). Adolescents with low and medium SES were more underweight and stunted than adolescents with high SES. Girls were more overweight, less stunted, and underweight than boys.

Developmental changes and gender differences in adolescents' perceptions of friendships

This five-wave study aims to investigate the development of adolescents' perceptions of support, negative interaction, and power in best friendships from ages 12 to 20 years. Furthermore, gender differences and linkages between the three dimensions are explored. A total of 593 early adolescents (53.6% boys) and 337 middle adolescents (43.3% boys) participated. A multigroup multivariate accelerated growth curve showed an increase of support for both boys and girls. Negative interaction was found to temporarily increase and then decrease for boys, while remaining stable for girls. Power temporarily increased for boys and decreased for girls. Results indicated that (1) friendships become more supportive during adolescence, (2) power issues are more prominent in friendships of boys and more powerful peers are perceived as more supportive by boys but not by girls, and (3) friendships of boys show a lagged development towards more equality.

Status and Gender Differences in Early Adolescents' Descriptions of Popularity

AbstractThis study examined gender and status differences among sixth through eighth grade early adolescents' (N = 387) descriptions of what it means to be popular. More boys than girls specified being cool, athletic, funny, and defiant/risky, whereas more girls than boys identified wearing nice clothing, being attractive, mean, snobby, rude, and sociable as descriptors of popularity. Descriptions also varied as a function of the individual's status: adolescents who were perceived as popular described popularity primarily in positive terms, whereas adolescents perceived as average and unpopular used both positive and negative terms. Compared with their same‐gender peers, more popular boys indicated being cool, attractive, and athletic, whereas more popular girls specified being athletic and liked. Compared with popular girls, more average girls used the terms mean and conceited in their descriptions, whereas more average and unpopular girls indicated the term snobby. This study illustrates the complexity and variability in early adolescents' social constructions of popularity.

Stress and Emotional Reactivity as Explanations for Gender Differences in Adolescents’ Depressive Symptoms

In this longitudinal study, we examined whether certain types of stressful events and how individuals respond to these events would explain gender differences in depressive symptoms among adolescents. We hypothesized that certain stressful events would mediate the relationship between gender and depressive symptoms. We also hypothesized that individual differences in emotional reactivity would impact part of this relationship. Lastly, we examined whether gender differences in early childhood temperament might explain gender differences in emotional reactivity in adolescence. We examined these hypotheses in a sample of 315 adolescents (51% females; 93% Caucasian; 3% African-American; and 1% each Hispanic, Asian-American, and Native American) participating in a longitudinal study of child development since birth. We used multiple regression and constrained nonlinear regression to analyze the data. Results indicated that stressful events significantly mediated gender differences in depression, and that individual differences in emotional reactivity to these stressors significantly moderated the relationship between stress and depression. We also observed significant gender differences in emotional reactivity to these stressors; temperamental differences in withdrawal negativity in infancy were marginally significant in mediating gender differences in emotional reactivity to stress in adolescence.

Depressive symptoms in Chinese children and adolescents: Parent, teacher, and self reports

Background Most studies of depressive symptoms in children and adolescents have been conducted in Western countries. This study was designed to examine depressive symptoms and age and gender differences in children and adolescents in China. Methods Participants consisted of two community samples of children and adolescents ( n1 = 4858, n2 = 1362) in Shandong, China. Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), Teacher Report Form (TRF) and Youth Self Report (YSR) were used to assess depressive symptoms. Results Using American norms, the prevalence rates of depression in Chinese children and adolescents were 5.9% with self report, 0.9% with parent report, and 0.8% with teacher report. Self and teacher-reported depressive symptoms were significantly increased with age for both boys and girls. Compared with American norms, self-reported depressive scores were significantly higher in Chinese adolescents, while parent and teacher-reported scores were significantly lower in Chinese children. Limitations Our study lacks clinical assessment of depressive symptoms and the study is comprised of two separate samples where parent and teacher reports and youth reports could not be compared directly. Conclusions The prevalence of self-reported depressive symptoms in Chinese children and adolescents are much higher than those reported by either parents or teachers. Depressive symptoms are increased with age but do not differ between boys and girls.

Adolescent attitudes toward gambling

Once conceived of as an adult activity, more and more youth are engaging in diverse forms of gambling. The present study examined age and gender differences in adolescents’ attitudes toward gambling among 1,408 students in elementary and secondary schools. Participants ranging in age from 8 to 20 in Quebec and Ontario, Canada completed the Attitudes and Gambling Activities Questionnaire (AGAQ). The relationship between adolescents’ attitudes toward gambling, their perceived levels of skill and luck inherent in various gambling activities, as well as their frequency of gambling was explored. The need for problem gambling prevention initiatives was identified. Youth who reported a greater number of accepting/tolerant attitudes demonstrated greater misperceptions about the degree of skill involved in gambling than youth holding non-accepting/intolerant attitudes toward gambling. Youth attitudes toward gambling were found to be moderately associated with gambling behavior. The implications for responsible social policies are addressed

Pubertal Development, Body Satisfaction, and Desired Body Changes Gender Differences in Early Adolescence

Physical changes that occur during puberty alter the body image. Girls formerly had more difficulties accepting physical changes than boys. In this longitudinal study (three family visits; time interval: 1 year), pubertal development, body satisfaction, and desired body changes of 106 boys and 108 girls were assessed. The adolescents were between 10 and 12 years of age at the time of the first visit. We examined whether—with progressing pubertal development—a stronger increase in body dissatisfaction could still be found for girls than for boys. This was questioned because of the changing male ideal of beauty. Results show that girls are still more often dissatisfied with their bodies and that their body satisfaction even decreases significantly over time. Only by the time of the second interview did gender differences in desired body changes become significant, showing that boys and girls both have certain idealistic visions of how they would like to look. These ideals seem to be more fed by peer-group comparisons than by comparing oneself to the existing ideals of beauty. Nevertheless, girls are still more negatively affected by societal norms than boys. For girls alone, pubertal status predicts body satisfaction and the wish for bodily changes. For boys, other predictors seem to be crucial.

Metabolic Risks among College Students: Prevalence and Gender Differences

Little is known about the rate of metabolic dysfunction and gender differences in late adolescence or early adulthood. We report here the prevalence of and gender differences in components of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a college sample. Three hundred students (2/3 female) with no prior diagnosis of illness from the University of Kansas, Lawrence, participated in a cross-sectional measurement of weight, height, fasting blood, and 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test. Prevalence of metabolic risks was determined using the Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III, World Health Organization or International Diabetes Federation criteria. Gender differences in both continuous and dichotomous metabolic variables were tested. The prevalence of MetS was low, but the rate of having at least one abnormal component ranged from 26% to 40%. Different criteria identified different individuals with the MetS. Prevalence was high for low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (24%), impaired fasting glucose (9%), and hypertriglyceridemia (9%). Fasting insulin was useful in capturing at-risk individuals in addition to ATP-III criteria. Males were more obese, hypertensive, and hypertriglyceridemic than females, but all 9 cases of impaired glucose tolerance were female. The college age and setting are a unique opportunity to monitor and intervene on early risk factors of chronic disease. Undiagnosed metabolic dysfunction is high and problematic in this age group. Unique gender differences in glucose metabolism warrant further research and should be considered in the design of intervention strategies.