Gender Differences in Mental Health of Adolescents in Residential Care
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70478/apuntes.psi.2026.44.14Keywords:
Mental health, Residential care, Adolescents, Gender differencesAbstract
Background. Young people in residential care are at high risk of suffering mental health problems. However, few studies have explored the prevalence of these problems as a function of gender and age.
Method. 338 adolescents who were in residential care (55.9% girls), aged between 13 and 18 years, completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire SDQ (Goodman, 1997).
Results. The main results indicate that whereas boys have more behavioral problems, girls suffer more emotional and peer relationship problems; behavior problems decrease with age across the genders. Hyperactivity and the total SDQ score also decreased, but only in boys.
Discussion. These results suggest adopting a gender perspective, both in the diagnosis and in the intervention of mental health problems for youth in residential care, particularly in the case of girls.
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