International Journal of Sub-Saharan African Research (IJSSAR)

Background: Adolescence is characterised by important emotional and psychological development. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), psychological distress and well-being may differentially affect male and female adolescents. These experiences may also differentially influence emotional health and well-being across gender and age groups. However, limited research exists about whether these factors are assessed similarly among adolescents in South Africa.
Objective: This study examined whether adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), psychological distress, and well-being demonstrated measurement invariance across male and female adolescents, and whether the structural relationships among these constructs differed by gender in Gauteng, South Africa. Specifically, the study examined three structural pathways: ACEs ? psychological distress, ACEs ? well-being, and psychological distress ? well-being across gender groups. Methods: The study adopted a cross-sectional correlational design involving 2,653 adolescents aged 10–19 years, comprising 1,240 males and 1,413 females. Data were analysed using independent-samples t-tests, correlations, and multi-group structural equation modelling. Measurement invariance was assessed using multi-group confirmatory factor analysis, with configural, metric, and scalar invariance tested across gender groups Results: Measurement invariance was supported across gender, indicating that ACEs, psychological distress, and well-being were measured comparably among male and female adolescents. Female adolescents reported significantly higher psychological distress than male adolescents, while males reported slightly higher ACE scores. No significant gender difference was found in well-being. All three structural pathways were significant in both groups, but their strengths differed significantly by gender, with stronger associations among female adolescents.
Conclusion: The findings indicate that ACEs, psychological distress, and well-being were measured equivalently across male and female adolescents, supporting meaningful gender comparisons. However, the strength of the relationships among these constructs differed by gender, with stronger associations observed among females. These findings underscore the importance of gender-sensitive approaches to adolescent psychosocial assessment and intervention in South Africa. Unique contribution: This study advances adolescent mental health research in South Africa by demonstrating that ACEs, psychological distress, and well-being are measured equivalently across gender while revealing gender-specific differences in their structural relationships. Schools and adolescent support services should implement gender-sensitive psychosocial screening and intervention programmes addressing ACEs and psychological distress among adolescents.