'Bad' Boys and 'Sad' Girls? Examining Internalizing and Externalizing Effects on Parasuicides Among Youth

• NCJ Number: 231031
• Journal: Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 39 Issue: 5 Dated: May 2010 Pages: 495-503
• Author(s): Tracey Peter; Lance W. Roberts
• Date Published: May 2010
• Length: 9 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Special Issue: The Place of Self-Harm in Adolescent Development, Part III, for related articles see NCJ-231027-30 and NCJ-231032-36.

Annotation

This study examined the existence of a significant sex difference between internalizing and externalizing influences on suicidal behavior.

Abstract

Suicide and parasuicides (i.e. suicidal ideation and suicidal attempt) have long been recognized as serious social problems, especially among youth. A series of logistic regression models were developed incorporating various internalizing and externalizing risk factors experienced by young people with the goal of predicting parasuicides among Canadian youth. The main objective of the research is to determine whether or not there are significant sex differences between these internalizing and externalizing influences on suicidal behavior. Data were used from the National Longitudinal Study of Children and YouthWaves 3 through 6, for a total sample of 2,499 15-year olds (48.9 percent male). Results show that both suicidal ideation and attempt are more frequent for girls compared to boys. Contrary to expectations, externalizing problems had a greater impact on girls and internalizing problems had a marginally greater impact on boys. This casts doubt on the notion that "bad boys" and "sad girls" are at greater risk for suicidal behavior. These results are discussed in light of their substantive importance, policy implications, and suggestions for future research. Tables and references (Published Abstract)