Suicidal tendency in youth in relation to their gender (PDF)

Master's Thesis from the year 2017 in the subject Psychology - Miscellaneous, grade: 6.84/10, Indira Gandhi National Open University, course: Psychology, language: English, abstract: The suicide rate among children and adolescents in the world has increased dramatically in recent years. It has been accompanied by substantial changes in the leading methods of youth suicide, especially among young girls. Much work is underway to elucidate the relationships between psychopathology, substance use, child abuse, bullying, internet use, and youth suicidal behaviour. Recent evidence also suggests sex-specific and moderating roles of gender in influencing risk for suicide and suicidal behaviour.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death among adolescents globally, accounting for 11% of all deaths to youth ages 12 to 19 between 1999 and 2006, and rates of attempting suicide and suicidal ideation are higher than those of completed suicide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 157,000 youth between the ages of 10 and 24 receive medical care at emergency departments for self-inflicted injuries each year. Data from the 2011 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey show that 16% of youth reported seriously considering suicide, 13% reported creating a plan, and 8% reported trying to take their own lives in the 12 months preceding the survey. The bulk of existing research on adolescent suicide focuses on psychological explanations and individual-level risk factors for suicide, including mental health, substance use patterns, and exposure to traumatic life events, such as sexual abuse.

This work is critical because it identifies individuals at the greatest risk of suicide and provides clear intervention strategies to address individuals' unique paths to suicidal ideation.