Gap In Youth Suicide Rates May Be Shrinking

Suicide rates are increasing more among girls than boys, particularly among those aged 10 to 14 years, according to the results of a recent study.

Recent data has suggested that the gap between rates of suicide among male and female youth may be shrinking.

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The researchers conducted a cross-sectional study using period trend analysis of US suicide decedents aged 10 to 19 years from January 1, 1975 to December 31, 2016. Population estimates were used to calculate suicide rates.

Overall, 85,051 youth suicide deaths were identified during the study period (68,085 male and 16,966 female). The male to female incident rate ratio (IRR) was 3.82.

From 2007 to 2016, however, suicide rates increased more among female youths than males (12.7% vs 7.1% in those aged 10 to 14 years and 7.9% vs 3.5% in those aged 15 to 19 years, respectively). Over the study period, the male to female IRR decreased significantly for those aged 10 to 14 years (3.14 to 1.80) and 15 to 19 years (4.15 to 3.31).

“The findings of this study reveal a significant and disproportionate increase in suicide rates for female youth relative to male youth, particularly in younger individuals. Rates of suicide by hanging or suffocation and in some racial/ethnic groups among female youth are now approaching those of male youth. This narrowing gap underscores the urgency to identify suicide prevention strategies that address the unique developmental needs of female youth. Future research is warranted to examine sex-specific risk and protective factors associated with youth suicide and how these determinants can inform interventions.”

—Michael Potts

Reference:

Ruch DA, Sheftall AH, Schlagbaum P, et al. Trends in Suicide Among Youth Aged 10 to 19 Years in the United States, 1975 to 2016 [published online May 17, 2019]. JAMA Netw Open. Doi: doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.3886.