Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to examine gender differences in self-competence, social anxiety and depression in upper level primary school children.
METHODS
In this cross-sectional study, data were collected from 180 students in grades 5 or 6 (83 boys and 97 girls). The instruments used for this study were a self-report questionnaire, the Self-Perception Profile for Children, the Revised Social Anxiety Scales for Children (SASC-R) and a Depression Instrument. For data analysis, descriptive statistics, t-test, Pearson correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression were used with the SPSS/PC ver 12.0 program.
RESULTS
The only gender difference was in depression and girls reported more depression than boys. Social competence showed significantly negative correlations with depression and social anxiety. Gender differences were found in self competence in the prediction of depression and social anxiety.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study indicate that there are gender differences in self competence which influence depression and social anxiety. Thus, enhancing self-competence could prevent social anxiety and depression in children but, differences in gender should be considered when developing programs to enhance self-competence.

• Keywords: Self competence;Social anxiety;Depression;Gender difference