Abstract
Previous research has consistently found higher school stress among girls. However, scientific understanding of the underlying factors that may explain those gender differences is limited. This study adopts a mixed-method approach (QUANT → QUAL) to address this gap. In Study 1 (quantitative), we used survey data from 4768 adolescents (52.1% girls). In Study 2 (qualitative), focus groups were conducted with 80 boys and 82 girls from high- and low-stress schools. Findings confirmed higher school stress in girls, which were not explained by differences in perceived school demands, academic self-efficacy, and homework time. Identified underlying factors for gender differences included differing priorities and school involvement, girls’ greater school workload, emotional factors, gender stereotypes and social expectations, and differential teacher treatment.