Gender Differences in Temperamental Traits and Behavioral Problems in Early Adolescents: A Comparative Analysis

Abstract

Background: The qualities of temperaments are the basis of emotional and behavioral state of adolescence development. These differences by gender tend to reveal their presence in the early adolescence years and may predict patterns of behavior disorders, including internalizing and externalizing symptoms. In order of personalization of interventions and the fostering of the psychological well-being, it is essential to be aware of such differences.

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine gender disparities in temperamental characteristics and how they related to behavioral disorders in young adolescents.

Method: It used a comparative cross-sectional design that involved a sample of 194 school going adolescents (97 male, 97 female) aged 12 - 15 years whose names were selected by convenience sampling in various schools in Rawalpindi, and Islamabad. The implementations of standardized tools were performed: the Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire-Revised (EATQ-R) to measure the temperament and the Functional Behavior Assessment Profiler to measure internalizing and externalizing behavior problems.

Results: The boys scored higher in surgency, aggression, and problems of the externalizing type whereas the girls got higher mean score in activation control, attention, inhibitory control, shyness, fear, and internalizing issues. There was statistically significant gender variation in traits including activity level, affiliation, frustration and inhibitory control. Boys had significantly higher externalizing behavioral problems as compared to girls, but they had non-significant more internalizing behaviors as compared to girls. The values of Cohen d backed up small to moderate effect sizes of traits and behaviors.

Conclusion: The results indicate that temperature gender disparities should not be ignored, and important to be notified in early intervention program and prevention techniques of the adolescents.