Gender and developmental effects on perceived stress, coping, somatic symptoms and psychological disorders among children and adolescents

The aim of this one-year longitudinal study was to investigate gender and developmental effects on perceived stress related to interpersonal stressors, coping strategies, somatic symptoms and psychological disorders. Additionally, associations of perceived stress and coping styles at the first assessment with psychological problems at the second measurement were examined. In total, N = 169 Austrian children and adolescents (ages 10 to 13 years) participated in this self-report study. Compared to male children and adolescents, female counterparts scored higher on perceived stress related to interpersonal stressors and on social support but evaluated a lower amount of distraction. Moreover, girls reported higher levels of somatic symptoms and anxiety/depression. Boys showed a developmental increase in anger control problems and both genders showed developmental increases in antisocial behavior. Low levels of the emotion-focused coping strategies distraction and minimization were related longitudinally to emotional and behavioral disorders. The results support gender-adjusted stress management programs applied in the primary and secondary prevention.