Gender-specific networks in the relationship between fear of evaluation and mental problems among Chinese adolescents.

Fear of evaluation (FE), encompassing fear of negative evaluation (FNE) and fear of positive evaluation (FPE), is a prevalent psychological phenomenon among adolescents and has been linked to a range of mental problems, including anxiety, stress, and interpersonal difficulties. The present study investigated the dynamic relationships between FE and mental problems among Chinese adolescents. Using a cross-lagged panel network (CLPN) approach, we analyzed longitudinal self-report data collected from 1768 high school students (53.0% females; Mage=16.20 years, SDage = 0.83) in China over one-year period. The results suggested: (1) FE and mental problems exhibited significant bidirectional associations, with "Psychological Imbalance", "Interpersonal Tension and Sensitivity", and "FPE" emerging as central predictors within the network; (2) gender differences were evident, with girls reporting higher levels of anxiety and boys experiencing greater academic stress; and (3) the strongest cross-lagged associations differed by gender, with the pathway from Hostility to FNE being most prominent among girls, and the pathway from FPE to Maladaptation being strongest among boys. These findings underscore the importance of considering gender-specific dynamics in the relationship between FE and mental problems in adolescents and highlight potential targets for gender-tailored interventions.