Gender Differences in the Suicide-Related Behaviors of Adolescents and Young Adults

Gender differences in suicide-related behaviours were examined in an older adolescent & a young adult sample. As hypothesized, in both samples, gender differences in the expression of suicide-related behaviours were obtained. Males from both sampels endorsed substantially more risk-taking & injury-producing behaviours than females. Males in both samples also reported more negative health-related behaviours. Females reported more symptoms of depression. Hopelessness scores only differentiated male & female young adults; adolescents did not differ significantly on the hopelessness measure. (40 refs.) JA