Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 11, 2026

Validation of a Psychosocial Intervention on Body Image in Older People: An Experimental Design
Published on: May 31, 2021
Suicidal behavior and professional help-seeking among university students in Spain: A gender perspective
Lucía Jiménez Feo1, Jesús Oliver2, Javier Ramos3
1University of Malaga, Malaga, Spain.
Background:
Gender differences in suicidal behavior and professional help-seeking remain critical issues among university students. This study examined these differences and analyzed the role of psychological distress, resilience, and family and social support. It also explored how these variables relate to help-seeking.
Methods:
A cross-sectional survey was completed by 2212 students at the University of Malaga (Spain) between March 3 and April 5, 2021. Validated instruments were used to measure suicidal behavior, psychological distress, resilience, and perceived support. A subsample of 733 students who reported suicidal behavior was selected to analyze professional help-seeking.
Results:
Female students reported more frequent death wishes than males (32.3 % vs. 26 %) but there were no significant gender differences in suicidal ideation, planning, or attempts. Psychological distress resilience and family and social support predicted 22.7 % of the variance in suicidal behavior, and psychological distress (β = 0.325, p < .001), emerged as the strongest risk factor for suicidal behavior, whereas family and social support (β = -0.189, p < .001) and resilience (β = -0.113, p < .001) were protective. Regarding help-seeking, male students had 35.9 % lower odds of seeking professional support (OR = 0.641; p = .013) and tended to avoid it unless experiencing high distress.
Limitations:
Data collection during the COVID-19 pandemic may have influenced findings on suicidal behavior and professional help-seeking. Due to its cross-sectional nature, the study cannot determine causal relationships.
Conclusions:
These findings underscore the importance of mental health strategies that strengthen protective resources and promote help-seeking with attention to gender-sensitive approaches.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Self-Discrepancy Theory
Anorexia Nervosa
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development
Deindividuation
Panic Disorder
Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture

