Conversations around youth mental health often emphasize increasing rates of low mood, anxiety, and diminished life satisfaction. While factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, social media, and academic pressure are frequently cited as contributors, recent evidence suggesting that teenage girls' mental health is deteriorating more rapidly than that of boys highlights the urgent need for research focused on this gender gap.

In a new study published in BMC Women’s Health, Ola Demkowicz and colleagues from the University of Manchester delve into the lived experiences of teenage girls in the UK to better understand what they believe is driving widespread feelings of low mood and anxiety in their peer group. The findings offer a nuanced look at how individual, social, and demographic factors intersect to shape girls’ mental health today.

The study was co-produced with young researchers who contributed to the design, execution, and analysis of the project. This collaborative approach, the authors note, allowed for deeper engagement with participants and a more authentic interpretation of their perspectives.

The research involved 32 young women aged 16 to 18 who took part in focus groups between May and August 2022. Half of the participants had previously accessed mental health support from GPs, school counsellors, or mental health services. In these discussions, the participants responded to prompts about whether they identified with reports of rising anxiety and low mood among teen girls, and explored potential contributing factors such as family dynamics, school environments, relationships, social media use, and concerns about the future.

From these conversations, six key themes emerged. One central finding was that many participants were unsurprised by the rise in mental health challenges—viewing issues like anxiety and low mood as almost routine among girls their age. While mental health conversations have become more normalized, the openness has limits; as one participant put it, “it’s okay to not be okay, until it gets messy.”

Another key theme identified in the study was the restrictive expectations placed on how girls are ‘supposed’ to behave. Participants spoke of societal pressures around appearance—such as feeling obligated to shave or wear makeup—and the expectation to be “quiet and polite.” These norms often led to insecurity and a sense of diminished self-worth.

Academic pressure also emerged as a major stressor. While academic expectations may seem universally felt, the participants viewed them as gendered. Some felt that girls were expected to perform better, with one participant noting: “If a boy fails… it’s not that bad… if a girl does, it means a lot more.”

However, the pressure wasn’t evenly distributed across subjects. In STEM fields, for instance, girls perceived lower expectations, which could heighten stress. One participant, ‘Emmy,’ reflected: “If you’re in a male-dominated classroom and you’re getting the worst results, it kind of… you just feel like you take all of that on yourself and you just feel like you’re letting down other women.”

Peer relationships were another significant theme. Girls described the difficulty of navigating a “culture of comparison”—whether related to appearance or academics—which frequently led to anxiety and low self-esteem. Interpersonal conflicts, such as bullying, friendship fallouts, or relationship breakups, were also described as emotionally taxing, especially when they occurred both online and offline.

Unsurprisingly, social media was seen as a major amplifier of these pressures. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram were called out for reinforcing unrealistic beauty standards. At the same time, some participants acknowledged the positive aspects of these platforms—such as spaces for mental health advocacy, body positivity, and a sense of community. One participant captured this duality: while social media offers connection, it also encourages constant comparison.

Importantly, participants emphasized that no single factor is responsible for the mental health challenges facing teenage girls. Instead, it’s the cumulative effect of multiple, intersecting pressures. While these issues disproportionately affect girls, some acknowledged that other groups also share similar struggles. Because of the systemic nature of these challenges, addressing them will be complex—and progress is likely to be gradual. Still, there was a sense of hope: “Even if one little bit can be tackled, then it’s one bit that [can] help a person.”

The study ultimately offers vital insights into the mental health of teenage girls, grounded in their own lived experiences. The authors argue that future research and policymaking must adopt a gender-sensitive lens—one that acknowledges and responds to the unique challenges girls face in today’s world.

Source: Teenage girls explain mental health gender gap in new study | BPS