A multivariate model of gender differences in adolescents' internalizing and externalizing problems

Gender differences: observed in interpersonal and self-critical vulnerabili ties, reactivity to stressful life events, quality of relationships, and se lf-concepts inform a multivariate theoretical model of the moderating effec ts of gender on internalizing and externalizing problems in adolescence. To test this model, data were collected in a 1-year prospective study from an ethnically diverse sample of 460 middle school students. Increases in girl s' internalizing symptoms, compared with boys', were partly explained by gr eater stability in girls' interpersonal vulnerabilities and greater magnitu de in coefficients linking girls' relationships with parents and peers and internalizing problems. Boys' risks for externalizing problems, compared wi th girls', were partly explained by the greater stability in boys' vulnerab ility to self-criticism. Coefficients for most pathways in the model are si milar for boys and girls.