In recent years, there has been an alarming increase in mental health problems among the younger generation. However, there is one important aspect that often goes unnoticed: this psychological crisis does not have the same impact on adolescent boys and girls.
In our latest research on sleep, anxiety, depression, quality of life and risk of eating disorders, we analyzed data from more than 10,000 Spanish adolescents aged 11 to 19 years. The results are clear: not only does the emotional gap between girls and boys exist, it appears early and gets worse with age.
This gap appears during puberty
The differences between the sexes are not innate. It appears with the hormonal and social changes of puberty. Initially, girls and boys showed similar emotional well-being. However, from the age of around 14 years in girls, when puberty is in full swing and physical and hormonal changes accelerate, growth patterns begin to differ. Since then, the girls have slept less, shown more anxiety and reported greater symptoms of depression.
For many people, adolescence is a more emotionally intense time. Many young girls describe feelings of emptiness, identity confusion, and greater difficulty understanding or regulating their emotions. This is not just a matter of temporary discomfort: at this stage, the emotional balance becomes fragile and the stress response increases.
Reduced sense of autonomy and control
This phase is also accompanied by major changes in their perception of autonomy. Some young women express feelings of lack of control over their time, bodies, or decisions. For most boys, adulthood means independence, but for girls it comes with increased pressure, higher expectations, and heavier demands on themselves.
Self-esteem drops significantly, while the relationship with the body becomes more critical. Continuous concerns about weight, appearance, or self-evaluation increase, increasing the risk of eating disorders. At the same time, many young women report feeling more tired, less energy, and less physical fitness than in the pre-puberty period.
This pattern is consistent with international findings in a World Health Organization (WHO) report, which highlighted a decline in women’s psychological well-being from puberty and an increase in emotional sensitivity during this period.
It’s not the environment that changes, but the perception of yourself
An important point emerges: the social environment does not explain this gap. Family, school, and friendship relationships develop in the same way in both sexes. The data did not reveal significant differences in social support, friendship, or experiences of bullying.
Therefore, the emotional gap does not come from an environment that is more hostile towards girls. This comes from within them: in the way they feel, see themselves, and value the control they exercise over their lives. This is an intimate imbalance, not a social imbalance.
Hormones and aesthetic stress
Why this difference? The explanation is complex and multifactorial. Puberty in women occurs earlier and is accompanied by more intense hormonal changes that impact sleep, mood, and stress management. But this transformation, which is natural and common to both sexes, is not the only cause or solution. The difference lies in the way they are experienced and interpreted in a social environment filled with expectations surrounding women’s bodies.
Add to this the contemporary context dominated by aesthetic pressures, permanent exposure to social networks and the injunction to “be perfect” at all levels. The most recent research available suggests a link between these dynamics and increased emotional discomfort among adolescent girls. Therefore, puberty becomes a very demanding biological and cultural period for them.
Gaps that continue into adulthood
This pattern has not disappeared over the years. Data from our research group and scientific work on adult populations shows that women continue to have poorer sleep quality, higher levels of anxiety and depression, and greater body dissatisfaction than men. The emotional gap that opens at puberty does not close spontaneously as time goes by.
Sports, protective factors
Our data show that physical activity, especially competitive sports, is associated with better sleep quality, greater life satisfaction, and less emotional discomfort, in both boys and girls. If exercise training is equivalent, then the benefits are equivalent: exercise protects in the same way.
However, the welfare gap between girls and boys still exists. Not because exercise would be less effective for them, but because adolescent girls are exercising less overall and participating less in sports competitions, as confirmed by our study and other previous studies.
Sports alone cannot offset the social factors that burden young girls. On the other hand, encouraging their participation, especially at the competitive level, helps reduce disparities by giving them access to the same benefits as boys.
Another lever to reduce inequality
The good news is that other strategies also help reduce this emotional gap. Studies show that the most effective interventions are those that strengthen the relationship with the body, reduce social comparisons, and increase self-esteem.
School programs that focus on education about body image and self-perception have been shown to reduce the risk of eating disorders and improve the emotional well-being of adolescent girls.
Initiatives aimed at teaching the critical use of social networks and identifying messages that are harmful to self-image have also proven effective in limiting aesthetic and digital stress.
Lastly, emotion regulation and mindfulness strategies, which focus on learning to manage stress, calm the mind, and connect with the present, have been associated with improved psychological well-being and reduced levels of anxiety in adolescent girls.
This is not just their responsibility
But not everything depends on them. Research also shows that context plays a key role. Families who listen, validate emotions, and encourage autonomy will protect their daughters’ mental health. When schools teach universal social-emotional skills, such as recognizing emotions, resolving conflict, or building self-esteem, symptoms of anxiety and depression resulting from adolescence decrease.
And the media and social networks have a big responsibility: the way they represent bodies and success directly influences how young girls view themselves. Additionally, public policies that frame messages related to body and image, while supporting inclusive educational and sporting environments, contribute to reducing aesthetic pressures and improving the well-being of adolescent girls.
A critical moment (and opportunity)
Adolescence is a crucial period. By supporting girls at this important moment, by strengthening their autonomy, their self-esteem and their connection to their bodies and emotions, we lay the foundation for lasting well-being.
It’s not about asking them to be strong. It’s about creating an environment that doesn’t discourage them. Investing in youth mental health today means building a more just and balanced society in the future.
Alejandro Legaz Arrese is a doctor in physical activity and sports science, professor at the University of Zaragoza (Aragon, Spain).
Carmen Mayolas-Pi is a full professor in the Department of Physical Education and Sport at the University of Zaragoza (Aragon, Spain).
Joaquin Reverter Masia is a professor of physical education at the University of Lérida (Catalonia, Spain).
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
