Suicidal Behaviour as an Emerging Factor in Female Victims of Gender-Based Violence within a Relationship: An Exploratory Study

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Nov 20;19(22):15340. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192215340.

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV), in addition to being an important public health problem, is a risk factor for suicidal behaviour (SB). The objective of this study was to explore the risk of suicidal behaviour associated with the different forms of abuse and the consequences derived from it. This exploratory study was conducted on a sample of women who experienced IPV (N = 70) in the Extremadura Region (Spain). Demographic factors, abuse experience, suicidal ideation (SI), suicidal communication (SC), and suicide attempts (SAs) were analysed according to the type of abuse. We found that a very high prevalence of psychological violence (IPVp) was accompanied, in most cases, by some other type of abuse (IPVp+). Additionally, a significant relationship was found between IPV and SB. Logistic regression revealed a greater risk of SI and SA in the IPVp+ group. The results of this study could be useful to healthcare service professionals in preventing suicidal behaviour.

Keywords: intimate partner violence; risk factors; suicidal behaviours.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Gender-Based Violence*
  • Humans
  • Intimate Partner Violence* / psychology
  • Prevalence
  • Suicidal Ideation
  • Suicide, Attempted

Grants and funding

This research was funded by the Extremadura Government (Junta de Extremadura) and Feder Funds, grant number IB16011, and was financed for publication through the Aids for the Dissemination and Transfer of Knowledge by Feder Funds and Junta de Extremadura with dossier number GR21129.