Does the gender achievement gap in education point toward a mental health gap? Potential pathways to narrowing gender disparities in education.

In the UK, a gender attainment gap exists among adolescent students (where girls outperform boys). However, there are also marked gender differences in mental health during adolescence. Boys are more likely to present with externalising symptoms such as aggression, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Meanwhile, girls are more likely to present with internalising symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal. A systematic review and meta-analysis will be conducted to investigate the extent to which adolescents' gender differences in academic attainment and mental health are related, to identify common underlying factors, and to track shifting patterns since the pandemic. This study will consolidate knowledge about what works and what doesn't work in reducing gender gaps in both mental health and attainment, which will then inform the design and implementation of future educational interventions.