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Psychosocial Predictors of Psychological Distress in Taiwanese Secondary School Boys and Girls

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Abstract

This study was designed to investigate predictors of psychological distress in secondary school boys (n =779) and girls (n = 893) in Taiwan. Participants completed anxiety and depression scales as part of a larger study. Gender, GPA, parenting practices, self-esteem, and personality/satisfaction were significantly correlated with psychological distress. Significant gender differences were found in students' psychological distress, GPA, stereotyped thinking, academic self-expectations, parental expectations, parenting practices, and mother's education level. Stepwise regressions revealed that self-esteem was the only significant predictor for boys; it accounted for 40.9% of the variance in their psychological distress. GPA, family income, self-esteem, and parenting practices were significant predictors for girls; they accounted for 42.6% of the variance in girls' psychological distress. Research recommendations and educational implications are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tainan Woman's College of Arts and Technology, Taiwan

    Zuway-R. Hong

  2. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota

    Patricia McCarthy Veach & Frances Lawrenz

  3. 18-1 No. 5 Cheng Hsin Road, San Ming District, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan

    Zuway-R. Hong

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  1. Zuway-R. Hong
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  2. Patricia McCarthy Veach
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  3. Frances Lawrenz
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Correspondence to Zuway-R. Hong.

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Hong, ZR., Veach, P.M. & Lawrenz, F. Psychosocial Predictors of Psychological Distress in Taiwanese Secondary School Boys and Girls. Sex Roles 53, 419–431 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-005-6764-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-005-6764-1

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