Citation

González-Castro TB, Hernández-Díaz Y, Tovilla-Zárate CA, González-Gutiérrez KP, Fresán A, Juárez-Rojop IE, López-Narváez L, Villar Soto M, Genis A. J. Forensic Leg. Med. 2015; 38: 70-74.

Affiliation

Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica (INMEGEN), Servicios de Atención Psiquiátrica (SAP), Secretaría de Salud, México, D. F, Mexico. Electronic address: adgenis@inmegen.gob.mx.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jflm.2015.11.019

PMID

26717248

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Using the method of psychological autopsy, we identified differences by gender in socio-demographic aspects, signs and symptoms, and suicide characteristics in a population of the state of Tabasco. Mexico.

METHODS: Between the years 2007-2014, 182 psychological autopsies were documented by the Secretary of Health of the State of Tabasco, Mexico. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on socio-demographic aspects and suicide characteristics.

RESULTS: The sample was mainly formed by males (78%). 84% of the sample used hanging as suicide method. However, in comparison with the male group, females were older on the average (p = 0.002); they were mostly housewives (37.5%) and had more years of schooling (p = 0.004). Other significant differences predominantly present in the male group were: the use of alcohol at the time of suicide (52.1%), job retirement, and increases in apathy (50.7%) and aggressiveness (36.6%) (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that there are differences by gender between subjects with completed suicide. Factors such as alcohol consumption, job retirement, aggressiveness and isolation/social apathy certainly render men more vulnerable to suicide in the Mexican population.

Language: en