6 Gender and Suicide in the Elderly

TLDR

Gender is a key predictor of suicide in the elderly, with older women in North America being less likely to be suicidal than older men, yet suicidology has largely ignored gender differences or focused on men's causes. The study focuses on older women's low rates of suicidal mortality. Based on a literature review, the authors suggest hypotheses that gender differences in suicide mortality arise from coping differences and gender norms of suicidal behavior. The paper proposes directions for prevention.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Gender is one of the most important predictors of suicide in the elderly. In North America, older women are less likely to be suicidal than older men. So far, suicidologists have either ignored gender differences or have focused on the presumed causes of older men's suicidal behavior. In this paper, the focus is on older women's low rates of suicidal mortality. On the basis of a review of the literature, several hypotheses are suggested. One is that gender differences in suicide mortality reflect differences in coping. Another hypothesis is that gender differences are influenced by gender norms of suicidal behavior. Directions for prevention are proposed.