The gender gap in adolescents’ emotional and behavioural problems in Georgia: a cross-sectional study using Achenbach’s Youth Self Report

Abstract

Background Adolescents, particularly girls, are vulnerable to mental health disorders. Knowledge about young people’s mental health in Eastern European countries is limited. This study is the first to investigate adolescents’ self-reported emotional and behavioural problems in Georgia from a public mental health perspective. Methods This study utilized Achenbach’s Youth Self-Reported syndrome scales among 933 adolescents studying from grades 7–12 in 18 public schools in Georgia. We compared the gender-specific results with each other and with the Achenbach’s Normative Sample using two-sample t-tests. Linear regression was used to assess associations between internalizing and externalizing problems and individual as well as demographic characteristics such as parental migration experience (being ‘left-behind’ or ‘staying behind’). Results The study found that girls obtained higher scores than boys in Youth Self-Reported empirical syndrome scales and the internalizing broadband scale. Rule-breaking behaviour was the only syndrome scale where boys scored higher. Compared to Achenbach’s Normative Sample, adolescents in Georgia scored higher on all scales. Regression analyses showed that illnesses, having fewer than three close friends, problems at school, and worse relationships with peers/siblings/parents (compared to peers) were associated with higher internalizing and externalizing problems scores in both genders. Performing household chores, living with only one parent, or having a migrant parent showed no associations in either gender. Conclusion Emotional and behavioural difficulties of adolescents in Georgia, especially girls, require attention. Having close friends, developing strong relationships with family members, and a supportive school environment could help mitigate emotional and behavioural problems among adolescents in Georgia.

Are the presence of asthma and the COVID-19 infection associated with behavioral changes in Lebanese adolescents?

“…According to an established review, it was illustrated that males were more expressive and aggressive than females for externalizing their problems whereas females tended to internalize their problems, which lead to higher anxiety, depression, and withdrawal behaviors, corresponding to higher YSR scores. 40 An additional confounding factor regarding behavioral changes in Lebanese adolescents was found to be the type of schooling. Our results demonstrated a novel comparison that showed higher levels of YSR scores (Table 4).…”

The Role of Self-Compassion and Attributions in the Mental Health of Older Adolescents amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Several studies have claimed to detect poorer mental health in girls, especially those that do not have adequate social support [12]. Reports during the pandemic have estimated that girls experience more psychological distress, less life satisfaction, and higher results on syndrome and internalizing broadband scales [13,14]. Vučenović et al [15] found that amid the COVID-19 crisis, girls have reported higher levels of depression, while others state their symptoms are more severe [16].…”