Gender-specific risk factors for suicidality among high school students.
This study examined differences in three major risk areas associated with suicidality (suicidal ideation and suicide attempts) separately by gender: 1) substance use, 2) aggression/victimization, and 3) risky sexual behaviors. This study is a secondary data analysis of the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance (YRBS) survey, consisting of data collected from a nationally representative sample of high school students. Early alcohol onset, having had sex before age 13, injection drug use, and being forced to have sex were associated with suicidality across gender. Smoking in girls was associated with making a plan to attempt suicide and actual suicide attempts. Fighting was related to suicidality for girls, while fighting in school was related to suicidality for boys. The importance of examining risk factors for suicidality separately for boys and girls is discussed.
Epstein
Jennifer A
JA
Department of Public Health, Division of Prevention and Health Behavior, Cornell University, Weill Medical College, New York, New York 10065, USA. jepstein@med.cornell.edu
Spirito
Anthony
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D017668:Age of Onset; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data