Gender-Specific Risk Factors for Suicidality Among High School Students

This study examined differences in 3 major risk areas associated with suicide ideation & suicide attempts separately by gender: substance use; aggression/victimization; & risky sexual behaviours. A secondary data analysis of the Youth Risk Behaviour Surveillance survey was done. Early alcohol onset, having had sex before age 13, injection drug use, & being forced to have sex were associated with suicidality across gender. Smoking in girls was associated with making a plan to attempt suicide & actual suicide attempts. Fighting was related to suicidality for girls, while fighting in school was related to suicidality for boys. The importance of examining risk factors separately for boys & girls is discussed. (28 refs.) JA