Unpacking the gender differences in mental health in early adolescents: the mediating role of qi stagnation and qi deficiency

Using a sample of 946 adolescents aged 11 to 14 years from rural schools in China, this study assessed their depression, anxiety, qi stagnation, qi deficiency, and other controlling variables such as sleep quality, physical exercise, diet quality, academic pressure, family economic status, and observed bullying at school.