Gender-Based Violence,School Engagement,and Psychological Distress: Evidence From a Multilevel Cross-Cultural Analysis of 13 Countries

Abstract

School-related gender-based violence (GBV) represents a significant threat to adolescent mental health, yet its specific impact on psychological distress and the mechanisms through which it unfolds remain insufficiently understood. Existing research has largely concentrated on the prevalence of GBV and its immediate health consequences, but considerably less attention has been devoted to how such experiences generate lasting psychological vulnerabilities and undermine school participation across different cultural contexts. Addressing this gap, the present study examines the association between GBV and adolescents’ psychological distress, with a focus on the mediating roles of psychological and behavioral school engagement and the moderating influence of cultural gender inequality. Utilizing cross-national survey data from 32,118 adolescents in 13 countries, the analysis yields three principal findings: (1) exposure to GBV is significantly associated with higher levels of psychological distress; (2) both psychological engagement and behavioral engagement function as mediating pathways; and (3) the adverse effects of GBV are amplified in cultural contexts characterized by greater gender inequality. Collectively, these findings extend theoretical understanding of how school-based experiences intersect with broader sociocultural dynamics, while also underscoring the importance of culturally responsive interventions and policies aimed at strengthening school engagement, challenging tolerance for violence, and promoting adolescent well-being.