This article presents the results of a study examining the influence of the level of self-regulation in adolescents of both genders on adaptive responses to stress—one of the pressing socio-psychological issues in the work of psychologists and in the development of stress resilience. The aim of the study is to reveal the characteristics of self-regulation in adolescents of both genders and to reevaluate existing concepts of personality adaptability, thereby enabling the younger generation to cope with threats to their psychological health.

The article analyzes the theoretical and methodological foundations for studying adaptive responses and the main concepts of self-regulation, and describes diagnostic tools—questionnaires and scales—that are used in individual and group settings when working with young people. Particular attention was paid to the analysis of comparative data from two samples, which allowed for an examination of self-regulation processes in the context of gender and age differences and expanded the potential and depth of psychoanalytic sessions when working with young people experiencing stress and in need of correction of their self-regulatory behavior.

The influence of self-regulatory behavior on adaptive responses to stressful situations was documented across the two samples. The study’s results confirm the existence of differences in psychological constructs between adolescent boys and girls that affect the degree of self-regulation and the choice of adaptive responses.