Gender identity conflicts in adolescents as motivation for suicide.

One of the motivational factors for suicide in adolescents is examined in light of gender identity issues and conflicts. It is proposed that difficulties in the formation of a cohesive gender identity are related to the adolescent's motivation to attempt suicide. This paper makes use of Fast's (1984) distinction between "event-centered" and "self-centered" experiences in order to explore problems in the formation of gender identity with reference to regression to earlier stages of psychosexual development. Physiological changes and regressive pull may lead the adolescent to the "event-centered" mode of experience. Thus one minor event may become the focus of the adolescent's gender and self identities. The adolescent may then have regressive omnipotent fantasies of being able to change gender identity through suicidal acts.