Sex Differences in Mental Health among Korean Adolescents with Allergic Diseases

Objectives: Allergic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis are common in adolescence and are known to influence psychosocial well-being.However, sex-specific patterns in mental health among adolescents with allergic conditions remain insufficiently understood.Methods: This study analyzed nationally representative data from the 2023-2024 Korean Youth Risk Behavior Survey.Adolescents aged 12-18 years who reported at least one allergic disease diagnosis were included.Mental health outcomes included perceived stress, depressive symptoms, loneliness, and suicidal ideation.Weighted multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate weighted odds ratios (wORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).Analyses accounted for complex survey design and were stratified by sex.Interaction terms were evaluated using Wald tests.Findings: Among 24,320 participants (52.4% girls), girls showed significantly higher odds of adverse mental health outcomes than boys, including stress (wOR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.53-1.74),depressive symptoms (wOR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.52-1.77),loneliness (wOR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.68-1.98),and suicide ideation (wOR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.71-2.11).Sex-stratified analyses showed that sociodemographic and behavioral factors were associated with all four mental health outcomes in both sexes.Girls had consistently higher odds than boys, and although several factors were significant within each sex, most sex interactions were not statistically significant.Conclusions: Adolescents with allergic diseases show heightened vulnerability to poor mental health, with girls experiencing a greater burden.Although most risk factors were similar across sexes, tailored mental health programs may be especially beneficial for female adolescents with allergic conditions.