Suicide attempts and domestic violence among women psychiatric inpatients

Objective. Previous clinical observations, as well as empirical studies in fairly unique samples, suggest that there may be a relationship between domestic-violence victimization and suicide attempts. We wished to examine this relationship among psychiatric women inpatients. Methods. In this study among psychiatric inpatients, we compared women with versus without suicide attempts with regard to scores on a measure of domestic violence. Results. Compared to women without attempts, women with acknowledged histories of suicide attempts had significantly higher scores on the measure of domestic violence. Conclusion. These data support a relationship between domestic-violence victimization and a history of suicide attempts. From the perspective of assessment, inpatient clinicians need to carefully screen every patient with a history of suicide attempts for a history of domestic violence.