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Gender differences in behavioral problems and school outcomes

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  • Kristoffersen, Jannie H.G.
  • Obel, Carsten
  • Smith, Nina

Abstract

This study analyzes gender differences in behavioral problems and school outcomes. The study is based on teacher and parent evaluations using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire for approximately 6000 Danish children 10–12 years of age who were born in 1990–1992. The sample has been merged with extensive register data on parental background and student outcomes. Our findings show a large negative association between indicators of externalizing behavioral and school outcomes. Only a minor percentage of the gender difference in average reading and math test scores, however, can be attributed to gender differences in the prevalence of low-scoring individuals with behavioral problems.

Suggested Citation

  • Kristoffersen, Jannie H.G. & Obel, Carsten & Smith, Nina, 2015. "Gender differences in behavioral problems and school outcomes," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 75-93.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:115:y:2015:i:c:p:75-93
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2014.10.006
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    Cited by:

    1. Rasmus Trap Wolf & Pia Jeppesen & Dorte Gyrd-Hansen & The CCC2000 Study Group & Anne Sophie Oxholm, 2019. "Evaluation of a screening algorithm using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire to identify children with mental health problems: A five-year register-based follow-up on school performance and ," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(10), pages 1-18, October.
    2. Hervé, Justine & Mani, Subha & Behrman, Jere R. & Nandi, Arindam & Lamkang, Anjana Sankhil & Laxminarayan, Ramanan, 2022. "Gender gaps in cognitive and noncognitive skills among adolescents in India," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 193(C), pages 66-97.
    3. Maria Keilow & Hans Henrik Sievertsen & Janni Niclasen & Carsten Obel, 2019. "The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and standardized academic tests: Reliability across respondent type and age," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(7), pages 1-12, July.
    4. Brenøe, Anne Ardila & Lundberg, Shelly, 2018. "Gender gaps in the effects of childhood family environment: Do they persist into adulthood?," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 42-62.
    5. Thea Toft Amholt & Jesper Dammeyer & Rhonwyn Carter & Janni Niclasen, 2020. "Psychological Well-Being and Academic Achievement among School-Aged Children: a Systematic Review," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 13(5), pages 1523-1548, October.
    6. Hervé, Justine & Mani, Subha & Behrman, Jere R. & Nandi, Arindam & Sankhil Lamkang, Anjana & Laxminarayan, Ramanan, 2021. "Gender Gaps in Cognitive and Noncognitive Skills: Roles of SES and Gender Attitudes," IZA Discussion Papers 14132, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    7. Andrew J. Bibler, 2020. "Household Composition and Gender Differences in Parental Time Investments," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 57(4), pages 1415-1435, August.
    8. Andrew Bibler, 2017. "Household Composition and Gender Difference in Parental Time Investments," Working Papers 2017-01, University of Alaska Anchorage, Department of Economics.
    9. Jürges, Hendrik & Khanam, Rasheda, 2021. "Adolescents’ time allocation and skill production," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Gender differences; Education; Behavior;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I19 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Other

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