Gender differences in defense mechanisms, ways of coping with stress and sense of identity in adolescent suicide attempts (original) (raw)
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Effect of gender on suicide attempters versus nonattempters in an adolescent inpatient unit
Comprehensive Psychiatry, 2005
Background: Although gender differences have been noted in the risk factors for suicide and attempted suicide, comparative studies to date have used only 2 groups and a limited number of measures. The present study compared the effect of gender on suicide among 4 groups of psychiatrically hospitalized adolescents using a cross-sectional design. Methods: The study sample consisted of 404 patients, aged between 12 and 21, who were divided into 4 groups: 76 male suicide attempters, 103 male nonattempters, 143 female suicide attempters, and 82 female nonattempters. Patients were tested for life events, affective disorders, aggression, impulsivity, ego defense mechanisms, and death perception with the Child Suicide Potential Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Overt Aggression Scale, Multidimensional Anger Inventory, Impulsivity Control Scale, and Life Style Index. Findings were analyzed by multivariate regression with stepwise logistic models. Results: Depression and anxiety were more prevalent in female nonattempters than in male nonattempters; there were no such gender differences among the attempters. Antisocial behavior was more prevalent in male attempters than in female attempters; there were no gender differences on this aspect among the nonattempters. There were gender differences for defense mechanisms in the attempters. Logistic regression models for men and women separately revealed that antisocial behavior and anxiety were common predictors of suicide attempt, that destructiveness was a predictor in women only, and that depression was associated with suicide attempt in men only. Conclusions: Suicide-prone female and male adolescent inpatients show distinct differences in psychopathology, ego defense mechanisms, and life events compared to psychiatrically hospitalized adolescents without any history of suicide attempt. Any deviation from a genderspecific behavior must raise suspicion of a risk of attempted suicide. D
Gender Differences in the Suicide-Related Behaviors of Adolescents and Young Adults
Sex Roles, 1998
Gender differences in suicide-related behaviorswere examined in an older adolescent and a young adultsample (primarily Caucasian). Suicide-related behaviorswere assessed by the Life Attitudes Schedule (LAS) as well as by measures of depressivesymptomatology and hopelessness. The LAS measures a broadcontinuum of potentially life-diminishing orlife-enhancing behaviors. There are four LAScontent-category subscales: overtly suicidal and death-related,self-related, risk and injury-related, and health-relatedbehaviors. As hypothesized, in both samples, genderdifferences in the expression of suicide-related behaviors were obtained. Males from both samplesendorsed substantially more risk-taking andinjury-producing behaviors than females. Males in bothsamples also reported more negative health-relatedbehaviors than females. In contrast, females reported moresymptoms of depression than males. Hopelessness scoresonly differentiated male and female young adults; maleand female adolescents did not differ significantly on the hopelessness measure. These findings areprimarily discussed in terms of gender-role socializationtheory. Implications for the treatment of suicidality aredrawn.
Gender Differences in Strains Associated with Suicidal Behavior Among Adolescents
Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 2001
Scholars such as Durkheim and Chodorow have argued that the social strains contributing to suicide vary by sex. Specifically, it has been asserted that women relative to men either do not respond to social strain with suicide, or respond to relational but not status strains. Conversely, others assert that process differences never existed, or at the least have dissipated with increasing equality between the subgroups. Neither side has offered convincing empirical evidence for their position. This study examines social strains contributing to suicidal behavior among adolescents, by sex, to address this debate. Results clearly support the presence of process differences and delineate the specific nature of these differences. Generally, males and females are responsive to both status and relational strains. However, theoretical models suggesting males are more status oriented whereas females are more relationally dependent are supported. Results hold theoretical and interventionist implications for the contextual nature of suicide among adolescents.
Antecedents and sex/gender differences in youth suicidal behavior
World journal of psychiatry, 2014
Suicide is the second leading cause of death in youth globally; however, there is uncertainty about how best to intervene. Suicide rates are typically higher in males than females, while the converse is true for suicide attempts. We review this "gender paradox" in youth, and in particular, the age-dependency of these sex/gender differences and the developmental mechanisms that may explain them. Epidemiologic, genetic, neurodevelopmental and psychopathological research have identified suicidal behaviour risks arising from genetic vulnerabilities and sex/gender differences in early adverse environments, neurodevelopment, mental disorder and their complex interconnections. Further, evolving sex-/gender-defined social expectations and norms have been thought to influence suicide risk. In particular, how youth perceive and cope with threats and losses (including conforming to others' or one's own expectations of sex/gender identity) and adapt to pain (through substance ...
Adolescent suicide and defensive style
Suicide & life-threatening behavior, 1992
This empirical study investigated the relation between ego defense mechanisms, diagnoses, and suicidality among 200 adolescent psychiatric patients ages 12 to 16 years. Based on a structured diagnostic interview, adolescents were divided into three groups: suicide attempters, suicidal ideators, and nonsuicidal patients. Using the Defense Mechanisms Inventory (DMI), suicidal adolescents scored higher on the defense of turning-against-self and lower on reversal, as compared to nonsuicidal adolescents. Although suicide was significantly more common among adolescents with an affective disorder, turning-against-self remained significantly associated with suicide attempt even when diagnosis was controlled for. Results demonstrate the importance of defense mechanisms in understanding adolescent suicidal behavior.
Confirming Gender Differences in Suicide-Related Behaviors among Adolescents
1996
Adolescents are the most suicidal population. Gender comparisons within this group show males are four times more likely to kill themselves, while females are three to nine times as likely to attempt suicide. This study compared 1993 and 1995 self-reported suicidal behavior in relation to the risk factors of tobacco use, alcohol use, drug use, school misconduct, academic difficulties, home environment, sexual activity, and violence among adolescents. In the springs of 1993 and 1995, data were gathered from seventh through twelfth grade students in a medium-size Midwest school district. A comparison of the two results generated the following conclusions:
P03-277 - Gender Differences In Adolescent Suicidal Behavior
European Psychiatry, 2010
IntroductionThe relationship between psychiatric disorders and adolescent suicide is well established. The aim of the present study was to examine gender differences in suicidal behavior among adolescents.MethodsA structured diagnostic interview (Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview Kid (M.I.N.I. Kid)) was used to determine 25 psychiatric diagnoses defined by the DSM-IV and suicidal behavior (having any current suicidal ideations or suicide attempts). The study population consisted of adolescents (aged 11-18), who were consecutively, first time admitted patients with suicidal behavior (according to the M.I.N.I. Kid) into the Vadaskert Child Psychiatry Hospital, Budapest.ResultsAltogether 81 adolescents (46 girls (56.8%) and 35 boys (43.2%)) met the inclusion criteria. The most common psychiatric disorder of suicidal boys (n=35) was attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (n=17; 48.6%), followed by oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) (n=16; 45.7%) and generalized anx...
Coping, meaning in life, and suicidal manifestations: Examining gender differences
Journal of Clinical Psychology, 2003
Life meaning and coping strategies were investigated as statistical predictors of suicidal manifestations in a sample of 298 university undergraduates. Participants completed measures of hopelessness, sense of coherence, purpose in life, coping for stressful situations, suicide ideation, prior suicide attempts, and self-reported likelihood of future suicidal behavior. Moderated multiple regression techniques examined the incremental validity of life meaning by coping interactions for predicting each suicide variable separately by gender. The interaction of sense of coherence and emotionoriented coping made a unique, significant contribution to the statistical prediction of all suicide variables for women. For men, the interaction between sense of coherence and emotion-oriented coping contributed significantly to the statistical prediction of suicide ideation. All interactions remained significant when hopelessness was statistically controlled. The hypothesis that life meaning acts as a buffer between coping style and suicidal manifestations was partially supported. Implications for suicide prevention and intervention are discussed.
BMC Public Health, 2011
Background: While suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people in most industrial countries, non-fatal suicidal behaviour is also a very important public health concern among adolescents. The aim of this study was to investigate gender differences in prevalence and emotional and behavioural correlates of suicidal behaviour in a representative school-based sample of adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used to assess suicidal behaviour and various areas of emotional and behavioural problems by using a self-report booklet including the Youth Self-Report. One hundred sixteen schools in a region of Southern Germany agreed to participate. A representative sample of 5,512 ninth-grade students was studied. Mean age was 14.8 years (SD 0.73); 49.8% were female.