Micro- and Macrosystem Predictors of High School Male Suicidal Behaviors

beck-cross, cathy; cooper, robyn;

Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people ages 15 to 19 years, with male adolescents four times more likely to die than their female peers. This study used Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological model to examine micro- and macrosystems as predictors of suicidal behaviors through responses by male adolescents (N = 9,910) to a statewide youth survey. Findings show that the micro- and macrosystems of race and ethnicity, individual risky and resilient behaviors, family, school, and community were significant predictors of
suicide intent, suicide attempt, or both. Recommendations for school social workers are provided for individual, family, school, and community interventions.