Gender Differences in the Suicide-Related Behaviors of Adolescents and Young Adults

Authors: Langhinrichsen-Rohling J.; Lewinsohn P.; Rohde P.; Seeley J.; Monson C.M.; Meyer K.A.; Langford R.

Source: Sex Roles, Volume 39, Numbers 11-12, 1 December 1998 , pp. 839-854(16)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

Gender differences in suicide-related behaviors were examined in an older adolescent and a young adult sample (primarily Caucasian). Suicide-related behaviors were assessed by the Life Attitudes Schedule (LAS) as well as by measures of depressive symptomatology and hopelessness. The LAS measures a broad continuum of potentially life-diminishing or life-enhancing behaviors. There are four LAS content-category subscales: overtly suicidal and death-related, self-related, risk and injury-related, and health-related behaviors. As hypothesized, in both samples, gender differences in the expression of suicide-related behaviors were obtained. Males from both samples endorsed substantially more risk-taking and injury-producing behaviors than females. Males in both samples also reported more negative health-related behaviors than females. In contrast, females reported more symptoms of depression than males. Hopelessness scores only differentiated male and female young adults; male and female adolescents did not differ significantly on the hopelessness measure. These findings are primarily discussed in terms of gender-role socialization theory. Implications for the treatment of suicidality are drawn.

Language: English

Document Type: Regular paper

Publication date: 1998-12-01