Jaibir Singh
Physical Education
May 2025
Adolescence is a critical developmental stage with increased sensitivity to psychological tension and worry, conditioned by demographic and environmental factors. The objective of the present study was to explore how geographic locality (urban, semi-urban, rural) and gender affect the prevalence and severity of anxiety and subjective stress in adolescents aged 13-18 years. Utilizing a quantitative cross-sectional survey approach, information was gathered from a stratified sample of 680 adolescents via standardized tools—the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Findings indicated that adolescents living in urban areas registered significantly greater levels of anxiety and stress than adolescents living in semi-urban and rural areas. In addition, female adolescents had higher mean scores on anxiety and stress scales compared to males. These findings highlight the important influence of geographic and gender-specific factors in determining adolescent mental health outcomes. The research emphasizes the critical need for context-specific and gender-sensitive mental health interventions, especially in urban areas and among female youth. The results add to the wider knowledge base of adolescent mental health dynamics and provide actionable findings for educators, policymakers, and healthcare providers interested in creating focused initiatives for psychological well-being.
380- 389
© Airo Journals 2021
