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The ubiquitous sex differences in adolescent mental health: Do we overlook parts of a more complex puzzle?

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Introduction: This study investigates sex differences in three widely used mental health instruments: the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS) and the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL)-5, and HSCL-10. The psychometric properties and differential item functioning (DIF) of the instruments were explored using measurement invariance tests and multiple indicators multiple causes (MIMIC) models to more fully inspect potential indicator-level differences that may lead to bias. Methods: There were two adolescent samples in this study. One sample was in grade 8 (ages range: 13-14; 49% females), and the other was in grade 11 (age range: 16-17; 45% females). Results: The results indicate (1) a dissimilar contribution of some indicators to their latent construct across sexes or a mean sex difference in indicators that are not captured by the construct, and (2) that several indicators of the instruments might be biased regarding sex. Discussion: This study contributes to our knowledge of the complexity of sex differences in the measurement of adolescent mental health.

Source: Frontiers in Psychology

DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1707505

Authors: Sara Madeleine Kristensen, Lene Vestad

Institutions: University of Bergen, University of Stavanger

Language: English

Topic: Psychometric Methodologies and Testing

Subfield: Management Science and Operations Research

Field: Decision Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801