Does self-competence predict gender differences in adolescent depression and anxiety?
This longitudinal study examined 75 young adolescents to explore whether self-competence predicts the emergence of gender differences in depression and anxiety. During both 6th and 7th grade, boys reported significantly higher levels of self-competence than did girls. In addition, boys were significantly less depressed and anxious than girls in 7th grade, but not in 6th grade. Finally, when the variance contributed by self-competence was accounted for, the relationship between gender and trait anxiety weakened and the relationship between gender and depression became non-significant. These results support the hypothesis that self-competence is partially responsible for the emergence of gender differences in depression and anxiety during early adolescence.
McCauley Ohannessian
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C
Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut Medical School, Farmington 06030-2103, USA.
Lerner
R M
RM
Lerner
J V
JV
von Eye
A
A
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010414:Pennsylvania; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012649:Self Concept; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012737:Sex Factors