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Adolescents' mental health and well-being is a public health concern. We examined gender differences in stress, psychological distress and well-being and predictors of distress and well-being in adolescent boys and girls. A cross-sectional study with a sample of 954 Spanish adolescents aged between 13 and 17 years was conducted. All participants were assessed through questionnaires that measure psychological distress, eudaimonic well-being, life satisfaction, stress, coping styles, masculine/instrumental and feminine/expressive traits, self-esteem and social support. We find that girls scored higher than boys in psychological distress, chronic stress, minor daily hassles, social support, eudaimonic well-being and in feminine-expressive trait whereas boys scored higher than girls in detachment coping style and in masculine-instrumental trait. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that the most relevant variable in the psychological distress of both girls and boys was higher emotional coping style, followed by higher number of life events during the previous year. The most relevant variables in boys' and girls' psychological well-being were higher self-esteem and social support. Higher scores in rational coping style and in masculine/instrumental trait were also important predictors of eudaimonic well-being in adolescent boys and girls. Furthermore, in boys, older age was associated with greater distress and lower well-being and life satisfaction, while, as for the girls, a smaller number of life events and greater emotional coping style were associated with lower eudaimonic well-being and life satisfaction. Results are relevant for the design of policies and programs aimed at promoting mental health and well-being in adolescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although time use is one of people's most important resources, there are social forces and inequalities that shape how time is used. The aim of this research is to examine gender differences in time use from adolescence to old age and to analyze the association of such use with sociodemographic characteristics and with women's and men's health and well-being. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 5700 women (54.2%) and men (45.8%) from the Spanish general population, aged 14 to 85 years. Participants were assessed using five self-reported measures of time use, health, mental symptoms, psychological well-being, life satisfaction, social support, and masculine/instrumental and feminine/expressive traits. The results showed that although there were important differences in life cycle stage and occupation, women spent more time than men on housework, childcare, and caring for sick relatives, while men spent more time than women on enjoying activities and exercise. More time spent on housework was associated with worse health and well-being for women and more exercise with better health and well-being for both genders. It is concluded that gender is relevant to time use and the impact of different uses of time on health and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Emerging adulthood is a critical period of life involving many life transitions that may generate stress and compromise health and mental well-being. Aims: To know the most frequent life events of women and men in emerging adulthood, analyzing also the relevance that such stressors have on their psychological well-being and life satisfaction. A second aim is to determine the relevance of age, educational level, most frequent life events, coping styles, and perceived social support as risk and protective factors for well-being. Method: The sample consisted of 2,000 individuals from the general Spanish population (55% women), aged between 18 and 29, who were assessed using five questionnaires and scales measuring life events, coping styles, life satisfaction, psychological well-being, and social support. Results: The findings showed that 90% of the sample had experienced one or more life events during the previous year and that a higher number of life events experienced over the past year was associated with lower mental well-being. Multiple regression analyses made clear that, although some events experienced in the previous year (namely, family conflicts and change in the relationship with parents) were associated with lower women's and men's well-being, the most important determinants of well-being in either gender were coping styles; however, some predictors of women's well-being proved different from those of men. In the case of women, family and intimate partner conflicts predicted lower life satisfaction and psychological well-being was lower in the case of family conflicts. As for men, work or academic life events predicted lower life satisfaction. Conclusion: These research findings are relevant for the design of programs and strategies to improve mental well-being in emerging adulthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Emerging adulthood is a critical period of life that entails many life transitions in living arrangements, relationships, education and employment, which can generate stress and psychological distress in the emerging adult. The aim of the present study was to assess the relevance of stress, coping styles, self-esteem and perceived social support in the distress of emerging adult women and men. The sample consists of 4816 people (50% females) from the Spanish general population, ranging in age from 18 to 29 years old. All participants were assessed through questionnaires and scales that assess psychological distress, stress, coping styles, self-esteem and social support. Women scored higher than men in psychological distress, chronic stress, minor daily hassles, emotional coping style and social support, whereas men scored higher than women in rational and detachment coping styles and in self-esteem. Psychological distress was significantly predicted in women and men by high emotional coping style, lower self-esteem, high number of life events, and less social support. Another statistically significant predictor in men was less detachment coping style, whereas in women it was high chronic stress. The results of this research are relevant to healthcare professionals interested in improving the mental health of the emerging adult. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gender is an important influence on support-relevant social interactions, however findings of studies on gender differences in social support are not definitive. Although differences between men and women in the various social support measures have been found in numerous studies, neither the cause nor the explanatory process is known. This study examines gender differences in the dimensionality of social support. A large sample (N=3210) from the general population of women (60%) and men aged between 18 and 65 years old (Mean age=34.1) responded to a brief scale with items assessing the distinct functions of the perceived availability of social support. Confirmatory factor analyses yielded one factor in the women''s sample that measures global social support perceived, and two in the men''s. The first factor in the men''s sample measures emotional support (providing empathy, caring, validation of self-worth), and the second measures instrumental support (e.g. practical assistance or financial aid). We concluded that there are gender differences in the structure of perceived social support and that these differences can be explained by socialization experiences and social roles associated with gender. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]