Research article summary (published 21 Jun 2005):

A possible contributor to the higher degree of girls reporting psychological symptoms compared with boys in grade nine?

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND: It is a recurrent finding that adolescent girls report psychological symptoms in a higher degree compared with boys. The explanations for this difference vary, but the psychosocial school environment has never been a focus in these explanations. The aim of this study was to analyse whether psychosocial factors at school were associated with a high degree of psychological symptoms among boys and girls in grade nine, with a special focus on sexual harassment. METHODS: The study was based on a cross-sectional study including 336 pupils (175 girls and 161 boys) in grade nine (about 15 years old), who answered an extensive questionnaire. The non-response rate was negligible (<1%). Logistic regression analysis was used to analyse whether school-related factors (teacher support, classmate support, sexual harassment), body image, and parental support were associated with a high degree of psychological symptoms. RESULTS: Sexual harassment at school was associated with a high degree of psychological symptoms among girls. CONCLUSIONS: Sexual harassment must be acknowledged as a negative psychosocial school environmental factor of importance for the high degree of psychological ill-health symptoms among girls compared with boys.

Author information

Author/s: Gådin, Katja Gillander (KG); Hammarström, Anne (A);

Affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Sundsvall, Sweden. katja.gillander-gadin(-atsign-)miun.se

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: European journal of public health (Eur J Public Health), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2005-Aug; vol 15 (issue 4) : pp 380-5

Dates: Created 2005/09/12; Completed 2005/12/19; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 15975950, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent Anxiety - epidemiology; psychology Cross-Sectional Studies Depression - epidemiology; psychology Female Humans

Humans Male Sex Factors Sexual Harassment - psychology Social Environment Students - psychology

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