Year: 1990 Source: Annual Meeting of the American Association of Suicidology, (23rd: 1990: New Orleans), p.19-20 SIEC No: 19901793

This proceeding compares suicide attempts & substance abuse. Women attempt suicide more often than men, while men abuse drugs & alcohol more freqeuntly. However, suicide attempters& substance abusers are similiar psychologically since they are typically dysphoric, feel helpless, despairing, & have low self-esteem. The author suggests that these 2 behaviors are gender-socialized, equivalent forms of life-threatening behaivor. Interventions for the 2 also reinforce gender stereotypes of deviance.