Mental toughness and gender differences in adolescent depression: development of a predictive nomogram for early identification

This study highlights the importance of mental toughness in mitigating adolescent depression and reveals that meta cognition is a gender-specific protective factor. The developed nomogram offers a practical tool for early identification of adolescents at risk of depression, potentially enabling more targeted interventions. These findings contribute to our understanding of adolescent mental health and provide valuable insights for developing gender-specific prevention and intervention strategies. The nomogram can be implemented by public health and education professionals as part of school-based mental health programs, allowing non-invasive and stigma-free early screening.