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The gender paradox in suicide

S S Canetto1, I Sakinofsky

  • 1Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523-1876, USA.

Suicide & Life-Threatening Behavior
|April 29, 1998
PubMed
Summary

The gender paradox in suicidal behavior, where females report more ideation but males have higher mortality, is a real phenomenon. Cultural expectations significantly influence gender differences in suicide methods and interpretations.

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Females in Western countries exhibit higher rates of suicidal ideation and behavior compared to males.
  • Despite higher ideation rates, female suicide mortality is generally lower than male suicide mortality, presenting a gender paradox.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the gender paradox in suicidal behavior.
  • To examine the validity and explanations of this phenomenon.
  • To investigate the cultural influences on gender disparities in suicide.

Main Methods:

  • Critical examination of existing literature and data on suicidal behavior across genders.
  • Analysis of cultural expectations and their impact on suicidal behavior patterns.
  • Review of evidence from the United States and Canada.

Main Results:

  • The gender paradox of suicidal behavior is a genuine phenomenon, not an artifact of data collection.
  • Cultural expectations regarding gender roles significantly shape the existence and manifestation of the gender paradox in suicide.
  • Evidence suggests the gender gap in suicide is more pronounced in communities with distinct gendered expectations for suicidal behaviors.

Conclusions:

  • Cultural influences are critical determinants of the gender paradox in suicidal behavior.
  • Divergent gender expectations may affect the choice of suicidal methods and their interpretation by authorities (e.g., coroners).
  • Understanding cultural factors is crucial for informing research and public policy on suicide prevention.

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