Gender differences in adolescent symptomatology: a normative study.

A widespread belief that adolescence is marked by disturbance may have contributed to a lack of interest in psychiatric symptomatology in adolescents. There are few studies of adolescent gender differences. Adolescents (N = 497) from three Chicago area high schools, representing a broad socioeconomic spectrum, were administered the Offer Self-Image Questionnaire, the Delinquency Checklist, and the Symptom Checklist in which they self-report on self-image, experience of symptoms, and delinquent behavior, respectively. Results show that adolescent girls are more prone to report inwardly directed psychiatric symptomatology, such as depression and anxiety, than are adolescent boys; adolescent boys are more prone to report acting out behaviorally. Gender is an important aspect of treating adolescent patients.