Gender Differences in Risk and Protective factors for Resolved Plans and Preparations for Suicide among University Students

Background: Identifying the psychological predictors of suicide risk is essential because these variables may be amenable to change in treatment, unlike demographic or historical factors.

Aims: The aim of this study was to examine the predictors of past two-week suicidal ideation for males and females separately. Method. Participants were 1184 healthy adults who completed an online survey.

Results: A significant association between suicidal ideation and gender was found, such that mean levels were significantly higher in females than males. Separate regression analyses accounted for significant amounts of variance in suicide ideation, 54% for males and 68% for females. Moreover, the analyses revealed that suicide resilience Factor 2 (Emotional Stability) was a protective factor for both males and females; however, defeat, goal disengagement, and depression were independently associated with suicide ideation in males but not females. By contrast, entrapment, perceived burdensomeness, and hopelessness Factor 3 (Future Expectations) were significant risk factors only in females.

Conclusions: The findings have clinical and practical implications, which may guide future practice, and supports the notion of targeted prevention and intervention strategies.