Abstract
IntroductionIntimate partner violence (IPV) is associated with suicidal ideation, yet it remains unclear how often IPV precipitates suicide mortality. To overcome limitations with national data, we applied novel methods to: (1) document the prevalence of IPV-related suicide in the USA and (2) identify correlates for IPV-related suicide.MethodsUsing National Violent Death Reporting System data (NVDRS, 2015–2019, n=1 30 550), we recorded IPV circumstances (yes/no) by leveraging prior textual reviews of death narratives and applying a validated natural language processing tool. We could not systematically differentiate IPV perpetration versus victimisation given limited details in NVDRS. Logistic regression compared IPV-related suicides with referent group suicides (no evidence of IPV), stratified by sex.Results7.1% of suicides were IPV related (n=9210), most were isolated suicide events (82.8%, n=7625; ie, not homicide suicide). There were higher odds of IPV circumstances when the decedent had civil legal problems (aOR for men: 3.6 (3.3 to 3.9), aOR for women: 2.6 (2.2 to 3.2)), criminal legal problems (aOR men: 2.3 (2.2 to 2.5), aOR for women: 1.7 (1.4 to 2.1)), or used a firearm (aOR men: 1.9 (1.8 to 2.0), aOR for women: 1.9 (1.7 to 2.1)). There were lower odds of IPV circumstances when the decedent had a current mental health problem (aOR men: 0.7 (0.7 to 0.8), aOR for women: 0.7 (0.6 to 0.8)).ConclusionsIPV circumstances contribute to a notable proportion of suicides. IPV-related suicides are distinct from other suicide deaths. Targeted suicide screening and intervention in IPV settings may be beneficial for prevention.
Funder
National Collaborative on Gun Violence Research
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
University of North Carolina Graduate School
Subject
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
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