Sex Differences in Adolescent Life Stress, Social Support, and Well-Being

Abstract

Summary The present study compared male and female adolescents in terms of experienced life stress, social support received from parents and peers, and emotional and physical well-being. Ss were 93 male and 181 female adolescents obtained from three high schools. Data were collected by anonymous questionnaires. The results showed that female adolescents reported significantly greater life stress, and although they received significantly more social support from peers, they also reported significantly poorer emotional and physical well-being than males. An explanation for these findings in terms of difficulties in the socialization of female adolescents is proposed.