Adaptive characteristics and suicidal behavior: A gender comparison of young adults

Differences in suicidal behavior and adaptive characteristics were examined in college students with a particular emphasis on gender differences. Participants consisted of 344 undergraduate students who were administered a revised version of the Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire (SBQ), the Expanded Reasons for Living Inventory (RFL), and a demographic questionnaire. Results of this study suggest that there are significant differences between levels of adaptive characteristics in women and men. Women consistently scored higher on the Survival and Coping Beliefs, Responsibility to Family, Child-Related Concerns, and Fear of Suicide subscales of the RFL. No difference between genders was found for suicidal behavior. The current study provides insight into the similarities as well as the differences in adaptive characteristics and suicidal behavior between genders. The results of this study should be useful in preparing more specific target interventions for preventing suicide and strengthening coping skills among young adults.