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Gender-specific risk factors for suicidality among high school students
Jennifer A Epstein1, Anthony Spirito
1Department of Public Health, Division of Prevention and Health Behavior, Cornell University, Weill Medical College, New York, New York 10065, USA. jepstein@med.cornell.edu
Summary
This study found that early alcohol use, early sexual activity, injection drug use, and sexual coercion are linked to suicidality in teens. Gender-specific risk factors like smoking and fighting also emerged.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent Health
- Mental Health Research
- Public Health
Background:
- Suicidality, encompassing suicidal ideation and attempts, is a significant public health concern among adolescents.
- Understanding gender-specific risk factors is crucial for developing targeted prevention strategies.
- Previous research indicates associations between various risk behaviors and suicidality, but gender differences require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine gender-specific differences in risk factors associated with suicidality.
- To investigate the relationship between substance use, aggression/victimization, and risky sexual behaviors with suicidality in adolescents.
- To identify specific risk factors that may disproportionately affect males and females.
Main Methods:
- Secondary data analysis of the nationally representative Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance (YRBS) survey.
- Statistical examination of associations between substance use, aggression/victimization, risky sexual behaviors, and suicidality, stratified by gender.
- Inclusion of variables such as early alcohol onset, early sexual initiation, injection drug use, sexual coercion, smoking, and fighting.
Main Results:
- Across genders, early alcohol onset, sex before age 13, injection drug use, and forced sexual experiences were significantly associated with suicidality.
- Smoking was linked to suicide planning and attempts specifically in girls.
- Fighting was associated with suicidality in girls, while fighting in school was linked to suicidality in boys.
Conclusions:
- Risk factors for adolescent suicidality exhibit significant gender-based variations.
- Substance use and risky sexual behaviors are critical areas for intervention across genders.
- Targeted prevention programs addressing gender-specific behavioral risks, such as smoking in girls and fighting in boys, are essential for reducing adolescent suicidality.
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