Gender disparities and cognitive emotion regulation in adolescent depression

Purpose Gender differences in cognitive emotion regulation (CER) may play an important role in the experience of depressive symptoms during adolescence. However, limited research has examined gender disparities in CER and adolescent depression within the Bangladeshi context. This study aims to investigate gender differences in depressive symptoms and CER strategies and examined the associations and predictive roles of specific CER strategies in adolescent depression. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional design was used to survey 300 adolescents from six high schools in Bangladesh. Participants completed the Bangla versions of the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire and the Beck Depression Inventory for Youth. Statistical analyses included t-tests, Pearson correlation, multiple regression and mediation-moderation models. Female adolescents reported significantly higher depressive symptoms than males across all nine cognitive strategies. Female adolescents reported significantly higher depressive symptoms than males (p < 0.05), with gender differences across all nine cognitive strategies. Findings Maladaptive strategies – self-blame (r = 0.430), rumination (r = 0.456) and catastrophizing (r = 0.354) – were positively correlated with depression. Adaptive strategies – positive refocusing (r = −0.402), positive reappraisal (r = −0.345) and acceptance (r = −0.283) – were negatively correlated. Regression analysis showed rumination (β = 0.41, p < 0.001) and self-blame (β = 0.37, p < 0.001) as strong predictors of depression, while positive refocusing (β = −0.26, p < 0.01) reduced symptoms. Cognitive strategies explained a significant portion of variance (Adjusted R2 = 0.336, p < 0.001). Practical implications Mediation and moderation analyses revealed rumination partially mediated the effect of self-blame, and positive refocusing moderated the link between other-blame and depressive symptoms. Maladaptive cognitive strategies contribute to adolescent depression, with clear gender differences. Interventions that reduce self-blame and rumination and promote positive refocusing may support adolescent mental health in Bangladesh. Originality/value Maladaptive cognitive strategies contribute to adolescent depression, with clear gender differences. Interventions that reduce self-blame and rumination and promote positive refocusing may support adolescent mental health in Bangladesh.