Citation

Rice TR. Int. J. Adolesc. Med. Health 2014; 27(2): 177-181.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Freund Publishing)

DOI

10.1515/ijamh-2015-5008

PMID

25411987

Abstract

Suicide and homicide are much more commonly committed by adolescent males than females. Herein, a proposal in favor of gender-specific understanding and approach to these violent behaviors is presented. Social and healthcare service system factors, including issues of male adolescents' access to care and help-seeking behaviors, are reviewed alongside the epidemiology of adolescent suicide and homicide as a transition into a detailed discussion of the putative biological factors at play. An emphasis upon the male androgen testosterone organizes the discussion. Behavioral manifestations of this brain-based organizational model are presented with a focus on impulsivity, aggression, and externalizing dysregulated emotionality. Treatment considerations and implications are developed.

Language: en