Gender differences in suicidal behavior in adolescents and young adults: systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal cohort studies
OpenAlex W2909582016 · doi:10.1007/s00038-018-1196-1
What was done
The authors conducted a systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis searching five databases through January 2017. They included population-based longitudinal studies of non-clinical populations aged 12 to 26 years evaluating the association between gender and suicide attempts or death, or assessing gender-specific risk and protective factors.
What was found
Across 67 included longitudinal studies: - Females presented a higher risk of suicide attempt compared to males (OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.54–2.50). - Males presented a higher hazard of suicide death compared to females (HR 2.50, 95% CI 1.8–3.6). - Common risk factors for both genders were previous mental or substance abuse disorders and exposure to interpersonal violence. - Female-specific risk factors for suicide attempts included eating disorders, PTSD, bipolar disorder, dating violence victimization, depressive symptoms, interpersonal problems, and previous abortion. - Male-specific risk factors for suicide attempts included disruptive behavior/conduct problems, hopelessness, parental separation/divorce, friend's suicidal behavior, and access to means. - Male-specific risk factors for suicide death included drug abuse, externalizing disorders, and access to means. - No studies evaluated female-specific risk factors for suicide death.
Why it matters
This review quantifies the youth suicidal gender paradox in non-clinical longitudinal cohorts, showing approximately twofold higher odds of attempts in females and 2.5-fold higher risk of death in males. It highlights distinct psychosocial risk profiles to inform gender-tailored early intervention.
Limits
The total participant count was not reported in the abstract. No studies investigated female-specific risk factors for suicide death. Findings derive from observational longitudinal studies and exclude clinical populations.
Cited by
- supports Young men are 4 times as likely to die by suicide, 3 times as likely to suffer from addiction, and 12 times as likely to be incarcerated compared to women.