Preference of lethal methods is not the only cause for higher suicide rates in males (original) (raw)
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Methods of Choice in Completed Suicides: Gender Differences and Review of Literature
Journal of Forensic Sciences, 2009
Abstract: Suicide is an important public health hazard worldwide. A 4-year retrospective study from January 2000 to December 2003 was conducted to identify the favored methods in realized suicides among males and females in the west coastal region of India. During the study period, a total of 539 cases of suicidal deaths were autopsied. Males were predominantly affected (male: female—1.9:1). The age of the victims ranged from 13 to 90 years in males (mean = 40.1 years, median = 37.0 years) and 15 to 85 years in females (mean = 36.6 years, median = 32.0 years). Most favored method of suicide amongst males and females was hanging (36.9%, n = 199) followed by poisoning (34.7%, n = 187). Male dominance was apparent for each method of suicide except for self-immolation. Males were relatively more likely to use hanging and poisoning while females were more likely to prefer drowning and self-immolation as methods of suicide. Relatively younger females (mean = 33.0 years, median = 32.0 years) preferred hanging as a method of suicide when compared to males (mean = 42.4 years, median = 40.0 years). Among females, significantly younger females resorted to hanging when compared to older females who preferred drowning. On investigating the various theories proposed for choice of suicide methods in males and females in different regions we conclude that preference of method of suicide in men and women is complexly determined. In this region, availability, accessibility, popularity, and socioacceptability seem to be the major determinants in the choice of methods among males and females rather than violence associated and lethality of the method. Females were as likely to use lethal and violent methods as males in this region.
Gender Differences in Suicide Methods in Turkey
Foresic Research & Criminology International Journal, 2017
Objective: The purpose of the study to investigate whether there is gender difference in suicide methods and whether there is any variation in suicide methods by gender over time. Method: Secondary data about suicide from 2007 to 2015 were obtained from Turkish Statistical Institute. Gender specific suicide rate was calculated. Then, a paired-samples t-test was conducted, the ratio of male to female and average of each suicide method rate were calculated, and trends about suicide methods by gender between 2007 and 2015 were graphed. Results: Except for intoxication, all other suicide methods including hanging, firearm, jumping, and cutting/burning differ statistically significant between females and males. From 2007 to 2015, males are inclined to use firearms, jumping, intoxication, and cutting/ burning more frequently whereas females have tendency to use jumping more frequently. Conclusions: Suicide methods differ between females and males. Males use more brutal suicide methods compared to females.
Gender differences in completed suicides
Background: Psychological autopsy studies have been widely used to identify the cause of suicide. However, gender is one of the most frequently replicated predictors for suicide. To identify further the significant risk factors for suicide among males and females separately. Method: Data were obtained from The Turkish-Istanbul Forensic Medicine Institute Morgue Department for all suicides deaths from April to August 2002 in Istanbul. 124 completed suicides were included in the study.
Gender Differences in Suicide Rates
Forensic Science & Addiction Research, 2018
Objective: There is limited research on the trends in suicide rates by gender in Turkey. The purpose of the study is to examine suicide rates by gender over time and whether suicide rates by gender differ significantly. Method: The data on suicide from 2007 to 2016 were obtained from the Turkish Statistical Institute. The number of suicide cases was 28,760 (72.5% male, 27.5% female). Direct standardization method was used to calculate gender specific suicide rates. Numerical (correlation) and graphical (line charts) methods were used to reveal the trends in suicide rates by gender. Then, paired-sample t-test was conducted to determine whether suicide rates significantly differed by gender. Results: The increase in suicide rates among males was not statistically significant while there was a statistically significant decrease in suicide rates among females over time. The ratio of male to female suicide rate increased significantly over time. In addition, the difference in suicide rates between males and females was statistically significant. Male suicide rates were 2.5 times higher than that of female. Conclusion: Suicide rates differ by gender.
Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 2008
Objective: To identify the most frequent gender-specific suicide methods in Europe. Design: Proportions of seven predominant suicide methods utilised in 16 countries participating in the European Alliance Against Depression (EAAD) were reported in total and cross-nationally. Relative risk (RR) relating to suicide methods and gender was calculated. To group countries by pattern of suicide methods, hierarchical clustering was applied. Setting and participants: Data on suicide methods for 119 122 male and 41 338 female cases in 2000-4/5 from 16 EAAD countries, covering 52% of European population were obtained. Results: Hanging was the most prevalent suicide method among both males (54.3%) and females (35.6%). For males, hanging was followed by firearms (9.7%) and poisoning by drugs (8.6%); for females, by poisoning by drugs (24.7%) and jumping from a high place (14.5%). Only in Switzerland did hanging rank as second for males after firearms. Hanging ranked first among females in eight countries, poisoning by drugs in five and jumping from a high place in three. In all countries, males had a higher risk than females of using firearms and hanging and a lower risk of poisoning by drugs, drowning and jumping. Grouping showed that countries might be divided into five main groups among males; for females, grouping did not yield clear results. Conclusions: Research on suicide methods could lead to the development of gender-specific intervention strategies. Nevertheless, other approaches, such as better identification and treatment of mental disorders and the improvement of toxicological aid should be put in place.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
According to the gender paradox in suicidology, an important sex difference has been reported with a preponderance of females in nonfatal suicidal behavior and a preponderance of males in completed suicide. Furthermore, females and males present different risk factors for suicide. The present study explored possible clinical differences between male and female psychiatric inpatients who had recently attempted suicide. The study included 177 adult inpatients hospitalized following a suicide attempt at the University Psychiatric Clinic, Sant’Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome. Clinical features assessed included psychiatric diagnosis, method and lethality of suicide attempts using the Risk/Rescue Rating Scale, the history of suicide attempts, age at onset of psychiatric illness, the presence of substance or alcohol use, and the length of stay. The results found that males and females differed in the method used for the suicide attempt, the scores for risk and rescue, and the...
The gender paradox: do men differ from women in suicidal behavior?
Journal of Men’s Health, 2021
Is men's suicidal behavior different from that of women's? Much research has been devoted to this question since the late 1980s. Scientific literature refers to it as the "Gender Paradox". This term was coined due to the seemingly self-contradictory findings regarding the differences in suicidal behavior between males and females, whereby women attempt suicide more often but more men die by suicide. If there are indeed differences between the sexes, then it is essential to modify the various suicide prevention programs accordingly. This study aimed to investigate whether those differences are real and inherent to the sexes. It attempted to gain a better understanding of the sources of those differences and the reasons behind them by reviewing the available literature on differences between males and females regarding, suicide and suicidal behaviors. The study found that the differences between the sexes regarding suicidal behavior are indeed inherent. Whether these differences associate more with inheritance or genetics is unclear, as is whether they relate to the sex differences or to gender identity. Clearly though, for effective suicide prevention the differences between male and female suicidal behaviors have to be acknowledged, studied separately and prevention and intervention programs have to take these differences into account.
A cross-national study on gender differences in suicide intent
BMC Psychiatry, 2017
Background: Suicide accounts for over 58,000 deaths in Europe per annum, where suicide attempts are estimated to be 20 times higher. Males have been found to have a disproportionately lower rate of suicide attempts and an excessively higher rate of suicides compared to females. The gender difference in suicide intent is postulated to contribute towards this gender imbalance. The aim of this study is to explore gender differences in suicide intent in a cross-national study of suicide attempts. The secondary aims are to investigate the gender differences in suicide attempt across age and country. Methods: Data on suicide attempts (acquired from the EU-funded OSPI-Europe project) was obtained from eight regions in Germany, Hungary, Ireland and Portugal. Suicide intent data was categorized into 'Non-habitual Deliberate Self-Harm' (DSH), 'Parasuicidal Pause' (SP), 'Parasuicidal Gesture' (SG), and 'Serious Suicide Attempt' (SSA), applying the Feuerlein scale. Gender differences in intent were explored for significance by using χ 2-tests, odds ratios, and regression analyses. Results: Suicide intent data from 5212 participants was included in the analysis. A significant association between suicide intent and gender was found, where 'Serious Suicide Attempts' (SSA) were rated significantly more frequently in males than females (p < .001). There was a statistically significant gender difference in intent and age groups (p < .001) and between countries (p < .001). Furthermore, within the most utilised method, intentional drug overdose, 'Serious Suicide Attempt' (SSA) was rated significantly more often for males than females (p < .005). Conclusions: Considering the differences in suicidal intent between males and females highlighted by the current study, gender targeted prevention and intervention strategies would be recommended.
Who commits suicide most? Suicide by gender and age
Foresic Research & Criminology International Journal, 2018
Objective: There is limited research on suicide by age and gender in Turkey. The purpose of the study is to examine suicide rates between 2007 and 2015 by gender, age, and both age and gender by using various statistical analyses. Method: Secondary data about suicide from 2007 to 2015 were obtained from the Turkish Statistical Institute. The number of suicide cases was 25,696 (72.1% male, 27.9% female). Direct standardization method was used to calculate suicide rates. Line charts were plotted to reveal the trends in suicide rates by gender, age groups, and age groups within gender between 2007 and 2015. Then, a paired-samples t-test and oneway anova (ANOVA) test were conducted to test whether suicide rates significantly differ by gender, age groups, gender within age groups, and age groups within gender. Results: There is an increase in suicide rates and suicide rates among males while there is a decline in suicide rates among females over time. Males commit suicide 2.6 times as high as females. Suicide rate is higher for those aged above 65 and those aged 15-24. Suicide rate is the highest among males aged 65+, and among females aged 15-24. There is a statistically significant difference in suicide rates between males and females, among age groups, between males and females within age groups, and among age groups within gender. The suicide ratio of male to female is the highest within age group 45-64. That is, males commit suicide 4 times more than females within that age group. Conclusion: Younger females and older males have the highest suicide rate. Overall, younger and older people are risky groups for suicide.