Gender Differences in Suicidal Intent and Choice of Method Among Suicide Attempters

A total of 351 consecutive patients who had attempted suicide were interviewed using the European Parasuicide Study Interview Schedule I while participating in a 2-week inpatient treatment program. They were invited to a 1-year follow-up interview & followed in the Danish National Patient Register. Compared to women, men who had attempted suicide were older, had better self-esteem, fewer depressive symptoms, & higher total suicidal intent scores, but they were not more likely to use violent methods. There were no significant gender differences in the number of repeat suicide attempts during a 1-year follow-up period. Suicide intent was not related to dangerousness of suicide method. (27 refs.)