Gender Differences in Children’s Psychological Well-Being in Mainland China: Risk and Protective Factors

Abstract

AbstractDespite extensive research on children’s psychological well-being, little consensus about gender’s influence has been reached. In response, we examined gender differences in children’s psychological well-being in mainland China, along with the gender-based risk and protective factors and their effects on psychological well-being. For a sample, we compiled data with 2466 children aged between 10 and 15 years old derived from the China Family Panel Studies. Among our results, an independent sample t test indicated that girls in China reported higher psychological well-being than boys. A multiple regression analysis revealed that certain protective factors associated with children’s competence and protective factors in their family and school systems could promote the psychological well-being of both boys and girls, while risk factors such as academic pressure and parent–child conflict were detrimental to the psychological health of all children regardless of gender. We discuss gender differences in those risk and protective effects, and with reference to our findings, we propose social service recommendations aimed at boosting the psychological well-being of children in mainland China.