| Abstract: | Adolescence is a critical developmental period during which academic expectations, educational competition, interpersonal relationships, family expectations and school environments may influence psychological well-being. This study examined the relationship between gender, academic pressure, anxiety and depression among adolescents studying Intermediate I and II year in Medchal–Malkajgiri District, Telangana State in India. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 360 adolescents selected from 12 Intermediate colleges across three blocks/mandals Medchal, Malkajgiri and Quthbullapur. Data were collected using a socio-demographic schedule, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and a six-item academic-pressure scale developed for the study. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, Spearman’s rank correlation and Cramer’s V tests were used. Of the 360 respondents, 54.2 percent were female and 45.8 percent are male. The study reveals that gender was significantly associated with anxiety severity, χ² (3, N = 360) = 8.934, p = .030, but not depression severity, χ² (4, N = 360) = 7.923, p = .094. Academic pressure was positively associated with anxiety (Spearman’s ρ = .191, p < .001) and depression (ρ = .195, p < .001). The findings indicate that academic pressure constitutes an important correlate of adolescent mental-health difficulties. The study recommends strengthening school- and college-based counselling, early identification of psychological difficulties, academic workload management, teacher support, life-skills education and gender-sensitive psychosocial interventions. |
