Gender differences in clinical correlates of suicidality among young adults

Gender differences were examined in risk factors for suicidality among young adult friends of suicide victims. Data were derived from a follow-up community survey of 76 members of the social network of 23 consecutive adolescent suicide victims 6 years after the friend's death. The Beck-Kovacs Scale for Suicidal Ideation was the outcome measure. Multiple regression analyses revealed aggression to have the only significant effect on suicidality among men, whereas depression and posttraumatic stress disorder had significant independent effects on suicidality among women. Results suggest that young adult men who are aggressive and female subjects with elevated symptoms of depression and/or posttraumatic stress disorder may be at increased risk of suicidality.