Canetto S S
Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523-1876, USA.
Suicide Life Threat Behav. 1997 Winter;27(4):339-51.
In the United States, gender differences in suicidal behavior rates emerge during adolescence, when females are more likely to engage in suicidal behavior, but are less likely to die as a result of a suicidal act than males. These gender patterns of suicidal behavior are common but not universal, suggesting cultural influences. This article reviews the highlights of the research on cultural meanings of gender and suicidal behavior. Studies suggest that U.S. adolescents perceive nonfatal suicidal behavior as more "feminine" and less potent than killing oneself. Persons who are suicidal in response to a relationship problem are considered more "feminine" than persons who become suicidal in response to an achievement failure. Males are more critical and avoidant of suicidal persons than females, especially when the suicidal person is a male. These beliefs may play a role in decisions about suicidal behavior (what kinds of suicidal behavior are chosen, and under what conditions). Cultural narratives of gender and suicidal behavior may be particularly influential for adolescents because adolescents are in the process of defining their identity, and often take cultural messages about "appropriate" gender behavior more seriously and more literally than adults. The implications of the findings from the research on cultural meanings of gender and suicidal behavior for prevention programs are outlined.
在美国，自杀行为发生率的性别差异在青春期出现，此时女性更有可能实施自杀行为，但因自杀行为而死亡的可能性低于男性。这些自杀行为的性别模式很常见，但并非普遍存在，这表明存在文化影响。本文回顾了关于性别文化意义与自杀行为的研究要点。研究表明，美国青少年认为非致命性自杀行为比自杀更具“女性化”特征且杀伤力更小。因人际关系问题而产生自杀念头的人比因成就失败而产生自杀念头的人被认为更“女性化”。男性比女性对自杀者更为挑剔和回避，尤其是当自杀者为男性时。这些观念可能在自杀行为的决策（选择何种自杀行为以及在何种情况下）中发挥作用。关于性别与自杀行为的文化叙事对青少年可能具有特别的影响力，因为青少年正处于确定自身身份的过程中，并且通常比成年人更认真、更从字面意义上看待关于“适当”性别行为的文化信息。文中概述了性别文化意义与自杀行为研究结果对预防项目的启示。
