Khaberni - Researchers from Chengdu University in China have revealed complex differences between males and females in the psychological links connecting personal needs, symptoms of depression, and suicidal thoughts.
In this context, "Al-Konslto" reviews a summary of the findings that the study reached regarding understanding the differences between men and women in terms of the tendency to commit suicide, according to "Nature Medicine".
What are the differences in the reasons for suicide between men and women? The study, recently published in 2025, sheds light on how the motivations and reasons for suicidal thoughts differ between the genders, and provides practical recommendations for gender-specific intervention and prevention.
Are men more suicidal or women? Statistics indicate an increase in suicide ideation rates among the age group 10-24 years by more than 17% annually since 2017, and although men commit suicide more, women think about and plan suicide at a higher rate, a phenomenon known as the "gender paradox in suicidal behavior".
What makes men more suicidal than women? The researchers relied on an analysis of psychoneural networks (Network Analysis), a sophisticated statistical method that monitors relationships between psychological symptoms at a detailed level.
This technique has allowed identifying the most influential symptoms, the strongest links between them, and measuring indices of mutual influence within each network.
What are the differences between men and women in the tendency to commit suicide? The study concluded in its results that there are several differences between men and women regarding the tendency to commit suicide, as follows:
Differences between men and women in psychological links - For females, suicidal thoughts were strongly associated with depression symptoms such as despair, sadness, and self-hatred, more than their connection to personal needs.
- For males, suicidal thoughts were strongly associated with the perceived burden (PB), or the feeling that the individual is a burden on others, more than their association with depression symptoms.
- The relationship between despair and suicidal thoughts was notably stronger among women, while the PB and suicidal thoughts relationship was stronger among men.
Difference in the impact of personal needs between men and women - For females, frustrated belonging (TB) was the most influential factor in depression symptoms.
- For males, the perceived burden (PB) was the most influential factor.
- Females showed a generally stronger emotional reaction between personal needs and depression compared to males, indicating a higher sensitivity to negative social experiences.
Cultural and social differences The researchers attribute these differences to social and cultural roles, as follows:
- Men are expected to be independent and productive, which makes the feeling of being a "burden" devastating to their masculine identity.
- Women's identity is more defined through social relationships, so isolation or loss of belonging leaves a deeper psychological impact.
The study provides the first detailed map explaining how and why the triggers for suicidal thoughts differ between genders.
It opens the door to the development of gender-specific screening and intervention models that take into account the nuanced differences in psychological, cultural, and social experience between men and women.
