The Competitive Mind: Impact of Competitiveness on Mental Health

Abstract

The impact of competitiveness on the mental health of Pakistani male and female adolescents is an important area of study, as the pressures from academic, social, and familial expectations significantly influence the psychological well-being of adolescents. This research aims to examine the relationship between gender differences in competitiveness and mental health outcomes, particularly depression, anxiety, and stress, among adolescent males and females. A cross-sectional design was employed involving a sample of 387 adolescents (227 boys and 160 girls) aged 14 to 19, recruited through a convenience sampling method. Quantitative data were obtained on the Revised Competitiveness Index (RC1; Housten et al., 2023) and the DASS-21 (Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995). The study employed two-way and mixed factorial ANOVA to examine gender differences in competitiveness and mental health outcomes. The results demonstrated that adolescent boys displayed markedly greater levels of competitiveness than their female peers. Furthermore, girls reported elevated levels of depression, anxiety, and stress compared to boys. The findings indicate that the rise in competitiveness correlates with an increase in depression, anxiety, and stress, especially in female adolescents. The study highlights the importance of recognizing gender differences in developing mental health interventions for adolescents, suggesting that tailored approaches may be necessary to address the distinct needs of boys and girls.