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Risk Factors Related to Suicidal Behavior Among Male and Female Adolescents

NCJ Number
161712
Journal
Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 25 Issue: 2 Dated: (1996) Pages: 149-160
Author(s)
R A Vannatta
Date Published
1996
Length
12 pages
Annotation
Data from 3,461 adolescents in 7th through 12th grades in a northern midwest school district formed the basis of an analysis of gender differences in self-reported suicidal behavior in relation to the risk factors of tobacco use, alcohol use, drug use, school misconduct, academic difficulties, home environment, sexual activity, and violence.
Abstract
Data were gathered from the Survey Instrument of Attitude/Behavior administered in the school district during the spring of 1993. Stepwise forward regression was used to rank the independent factors predicting suicidal activity and suicidal tendency for the males and females. Results revealed that the independent factors accounted for more variance in male suicidal activity and tendency than in female suicidal activity and tendency. In addition, as the level of suicidality increased, so did the frequency of violent behaviors among both genders. For both genders, the leading predictors for suicidal activity were violence, home environment, unfair/strict rules, and forcible sex. The leading predictors for suicidal tendency among males and females were school misconduct, unfair/strict rules, and home environment. Unique leading predictors for female suicidal tendency were over-the-counter drug use and cigarette use; a unique leading predictor for male suicidal tendency was having forced someone to have sexual contact. Tables and 16 references (Author abstract modified)