Emotional and Behavioral Problems in Rural Adolescents: The Bangladeshi Example from a Gendered Perspective

Abstract

Adolescent emotional and behavioral problems are highly prevalent yet often stigmatized. Within Bangladesh's male-dominated societal context, where traditional and religious norms disproportionately restrict women, gender becomes a pivotal factor for psychological well-being. This study therefore employs a gender-specific lens to explore these problems among secondary school students, examining their prevalence and variation across gender. This study draws upon data from the first author’s master's thesis. Using a quantitative, cross-sectional design, a survey was administered to 320 eighth-grade adolescents (143 boys, 177 girls) from five co-educational rural secondary schools across Bangladesh, selected via convenience sampling. Problem behaviors were assessed using a self-reported Bengali adaptation of Goodman and Mullick's (2000) Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The results indicated that girls reported significantly higher levels of overall problem behavior than boys. This difference was particularly pronounced in the domains of emotional symptoms and hyperactive-inattentive behaviors. The results underscore the critical importance of developing targeted support programs that address the distinct challenges faced by female adolescents.