Analysis of the Effects on Time Between Divorce Decree and Suicide

Abstract

Abstract. Background: Divorced individuals carry unique suicide risks, from both acute and chronic exposure to stressors from divorce. Aims: Several statewide data sets were linked to assess the relationship between divorce and suicide. Method: Divorced suicide decedents in the Colorado Violent Death Reporting System, 2004–2015, were matched with divorce decree, using multiple identifiers. Statistically significant differences between the linked cohort and all divorced suicide decedents were assessed using chi-square statistics. Kaplan–Meier survival analyses were conducted assessing which demographics and circumstances had a significant effect on the time between divorce and death. Results: The linkage resulted in 381 divorced suicide decedents linked to a divorce decree. Time between divorce and death ranged from less than 1 year to more than 10 years. Age and intimate partner problems both had significant effects on reducing the survival probability at 1 year and beyond. Limitations: Only 14% of divorced suicide decedents were linked to a Colorado divorce decree. There were noted significant differences between the linked cohort and the total divorced suicide population. Conclusion: Better understanding the relationship between divorce and suicide is imperative to design effective prevention programs for this specific population.