Citation

Miranda-Mendizábal A, Castellví P, Parés-Badell O, Alayo I, Almenara J, Alonso I, Blasco MJ, Cebria A, Gabilondo A, Gili M, Lagares C, Piqueras JA, Rodríguez-Jiménez T, Rodríguez-Marín J, Roca M, Soto-Sanz V, Vilagut G, Alonso J. Int. J. Public Health 2019; 64(2): 265-283.

Affiliation

CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain. jalonso@imim.es.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00038-018-1196-1

PMID

30635683

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To assess the association between gender and suicide attempt/death and identify gender-specific risk/protective factors in adolescents/young adults.

METHODS: Systematic review (5 databases until January 2017). Population-based longitudinal studies considering non-clinical populations, aged 12-26 years, assessing associations between gender and suicide attempts/death, or evaluating their gender risk/protective factors, were included. Random effect meta-analyses were performed.

RESULTS: Sixty-seven studies were included. Females presented higher risk of suicide attempt (OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.54-2.50), and males for suicide death (HR 2.50, 95% CI 1.8-3.6). Common risk factors of suicidal behaviors for both genders are previous mental or substance abuse disorder and exposure to interpersonal violence. Female-specific risk factors for suicide attempts are eating disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, being victim of dating violence, depressive symptoms, interpersonal problems and previous abortion. Male-specific risk factors for suicide attempt are disruptive behavior/conduct problems, hopelessness, parental separation/divorce, friend's suicidal behavior, and access to means. Male-specific risk factors for suicide death are drug abuse, externalizing disorders, and access to means. For females, no risk factors for suicide death were studied.

CONCLUSIONS: More evidence about female-specific risk/protective factors of suicide death, for adolescent/young adults, is needed.

Language: en

Keywords

Adolescents; Gender; Risk factors; Suicide; Suicide attempt; Young adults