Gender differences in the level and symptoms of stress in high school students

The article substantiates the importance of diagnosing stress and stress-associated conditions in schoolchildren of the older age group. The psychological characteristics of older adolescents are revealed. A comparative characteristic of the symptoms of acute and chronic stress is presented at three levels - physiological, mental and behavioral. The results of diagnosing the stress level of senior schoolchildren of secondary education institutions in the Kyiv region are presented, the ratio of senior schoolchildren by stress level is shown, and a subjective characteristic of the symptoms of stress in boys and girls is given. It is confirmed that girls experience emotional and intellectual signs of stress to a greater extent, while boys experience physiological and intellectual signs. The results obtained confirm modern scientific data on gender differences in the reaction to stress. Thus, in the physiological aspect, women cope with moderate stress more easily, they may have a lower level of stress than men under the same circumstances. Women are more impulsive and emotional, less mentally balanced, while men are able to more adequately assess the situation, control their own emotions and behavior. Females have higher mobility of nervous processes, they switch from excitement to inhibition and vice versa more quickly, which can be the cause of higher emotional lability, mood swings, irritability or tearfulness, their nervous system is more vulnerable to external factors.