This study scrutinizes gender differences in adolescent problem behaviour and its potential determinants, simultaneously taking into account the individual and contextual level, including personality, family and country characteristics. Using the 2010 EU Kids Online Survey, we estimate multilevel models on 18,027 individuals from 24 European countries. In line with earlier research, we find that boys engage more in adolescent problem behaviour than girls. The gender gap is largely explained by personality traits, such as self-control. Whereas the influence of self-control does not differ between boys and girls, the association between conduct problems and problem behaviour is stronger for boys than for girls. Family factors are relevant but not gender specific in their impact on problem behaviour. European countries differ with respect to the gender gap in adolescent problem behaviour, which is partly explained by the societal level of gender inequality.

Gender differences and deviant behaviour: differences between boys and girls in the influence of individual, family and country characteristics on deviant behaviour In this study, gender differences in adolescent problem behaviour and its possible causes on the individual and contextual level are analysed. The focus lies on differences between boys and girls in the influence of personality, family and national cultural context characteristics. Insights from different theoretical traditions are combined. We use information on 18,027 adolescents from 24 European countries from the 2010 EU Kids Online Survey to estimate multivariate multilevel models on important determinants of problem behaviour and their gender specific influence. Consistent with previous research, we find that adolescent boys show more problem behaviour than adolescent girls. Personality traits, such as self-control, largely explain this gender gap. Low self-control affects girls more strongly than boys. Both adolescent boys and girls in single parent households are more likely to participate in problem behaviour. Boys are more likely to use problem behaviour to cope with a low socioeconomic parental status than girls. Lastly, we found that the gender gap in problem behaviour differs between countries, and is partly explained by the level of gender inequality in a country. Cultural gender norms hinder problem behaviour among adolescent girls, whereas boys show more problem behaviour in these countries.