Systematic Review of Gender-Specific Child and Adolescent Mental Health Care

Abstract

Gender differences in mental health emerge as early as in childhood and adolescence, highlighting the potential need for gender-specific child and adolescent mental health care. However, it is unclear how gender-specific child and adolescent mental health care is implemented and whether its’ approaches are useful. Therefore, this study reviews gender-specific interventions and their effectiveness for child and adolescent mental health. Five databases were searched for articles published between 2000 and 2021. In total, 43 studies were included. Most interventions were conducted in school (n = 15) or community settings (n = 8). Substance-related disorders (n = 13) and eating disorders (n = 12) were addressed most frequently. Most interventions targeted girls (n = 31). Various gender-specific aspects were considered, including gender-specific risk and protective factors (n = 35) and needs (n = 35). Although most interventions yielded significant improvements in mental health outcomes (n = 32), only few studies reported medium or large effect sizes (n = 13). Additionally, there was a lack of strong causal evidence derived from randomized controlled trials, calling for more rigorous trials in the research field. Nevertheless, our findings indicate that gender-specific mental health care can be a promising approach to meet gender-specific mental health needs.

Mental health and BMI in children and adolescents during one year in obesity treatment

“…Among participants from the Obesity Clinic, girls rated their self-esteem and self-efficacy lower and more often felt low compared to boys. Several studies have revealed gender differences in clinical presentation of mental health issues [ 37 ], also supported by the Danish HBSC report (2018) [ 38 ]. Research on gender influence on mental health in children with obesity is however still sparse.…”

Caracterización Epidemiológica de los Pacientes de la Clínica Ambulatoria del Departamento de Psiquiatría de la Infancia y la Adolescencia de un Hospital Universitario de Paraguay: Estudio Trienal

“…Nuestro estudio encontró diferencias significativas de género en la prevalencia de trastornos mentales en niños y adolescentes. En línea con nuestros resultados, la evidencia sugiere que los varones son más propensos a ser diagnosticados con trastornos del neurodesarrollo (por ejemplo, trastornos generalizados del desarrollo) y externalizantes (por ejemplo, trastornos de conducta), mientras que las mujeres están más predispuestas a los trastornos internalizantes (por ejemplo, del estado de ánimo o de ansiedad) y trastornos específicos de la personalidad (en la adolescencia) (15,16) .…”