GENDER ISSUES IN THE TREATMENT OF SUICIDAL INDIVIDUALS

Historically, the literature on the treatment of suicidal behavior has not given explicit consideration to gender issues. There are, however , several important reasons for considering the influence of gender in the treatment of suicidal individuals. First, women's patterns of sui cidal behavior are different from those of men. Second, reasons for su icidal behavior are often assumed to vary by gender. Third, gender has been recognized as having an impact on the dynamics of psychotherapy. This article focuses on gender dynamics relevant to psychotherapy wit h suicidal adults. Specifically, it reviews the literature on the rela tionships between gender and (a) the epidemiology of suicidal ideation and behaviors, (b) the reasons for suicidal behavior, and (c) the ini tiation and goals of psychological treatment for the suicidal individu al.