Gender difference in hassles and symptom reporting among Hong Kong adolescents

Gender differences in hassles and symptom reports were studied in a sample of Hong Kong high school students consisting of 127 boys and 135 girls. Compared with boys, girls reported more hassles, negative affect, and physical symptoms, and fewer positive emotions. The association between hassles and reports of physical symptoms was stronger in girls than boys. Although a stronger stress-symptom relationship has been observed in girls in Western studies, this was restricted to psychological rather than physical symptomatology. These differences may stem from the stronger tendency for Chinese adolescents, compared to their Western counterparts, to present psychological distress in physical terms. Implications of these findings for future research on hassles and health in Hong Kong adolescents are discussed. ©1996 Select Press.