Gender and behavioural differences in Kuwait primary schools

ABSTRACT

Previous studies have found significant differences between the classroom behaviour of boys and girls. Most are within a single broad cultural context and little work has been done within an Arabic/Kuwaiti one. The main aim was to investigate the differences in behaviour between boys and girls in Kuwait primary schools. Data were collected that provided comparisons across questionnaires between parent and teacher returns for over 430 students. Separate teacher observations of students (n = 671) and classroom researcher observations were also obtained. Significant differences were found across the scales, indicating higher levels of externalising misbehaviour among boys than girls. A comparison with three studies conducted in other cultural contexts using the same strengths and difficulties instrument as used in this study found similarities and differences in results between the behaviour of boys and girls.

KEYWORDS:

• Gender
• negative behaviour
• culture
• Kuwait primary schools

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Yousuf Almurtaji

Dr Yousuf Almurtaji was awarded a PhD in Psychology by the University of Surrey in 2016, having previously received an MA in Education and Psychology Counselling and an MPhil in Psychology from the same institution. He also has an MA in Education from the University of Nottingham, has previously worked as a school teacher and psychologist, is a member of the British Psychological Society, and currently works as an Assistant Professor at PAAET.

John Everatt

John Everatt, PhD, is a Professor of Education in the College of Education, University of Canterbury, New Zealand. He received a PhD from the University of Nottingham and has lectured on education and psychology programs at universities in New Zealand and the UK. His research focuses on literacy acquisition and developmental learning difficulties, including work considering how literacy problems relate to aspects of language, behavior and emotion.

Nasser S. Almenaye

Dr Nasser S Almenaye has a PhD in Psychology from the University of Surrey and is currently employed as an Assistant Professor in the Psychology Department at Kuwait University.

Ahmad S. Alazemi

Dr Ahmad S Alazemi has a PhD in Psychological Counselling and is currently employed as an Assistant Professor in the Psychology Department at PAAET.

Dalal Abdul Hadi Alradaan

Dr Dalal Abdul Hadi Alradaan has a PhD in Educational Psychology (mental health education) and is currently employed as an Assistant Professor in the Psychology Department at PAAET.