Skip to main content
Search
Search
    Quick Search anywhere
    Quick search in Citations
Advanced Search
Skip main navigationClose Drawer MenuOpen Drawer Menu
Previous article
Next article

Ethnic Differences in Correlates of Suicidal Behavior Among Women Seeking Help for Intimate Partner Violence

Published Online:October 06, 2015https://doi.org/10.1027/0227-5910/a000321

Abstract

Abstract.Background: Women abused by an intimate partner are at risk of engaging in nonfatal suicidal behavior and suicidal communication (NSBSC). No studies have examined ethnic differences in correlates of NSBSC among abused women. Aims: This secondary data analytic study examined whether correlates of NSBSC previously reported among a mixed ethnic sample of women seeking help for abuse by a male intimate partner differed for those who self-identified as Latina (N = 340), African American (N = 184), or European American (N = 67). Method: Logistic regression was used to examine correlates of NSBSC separately among Latina, African American, and European American women. Results: More severe violence by a male intimate partner, having a chronic or disabling illness, being younger, and being unemployed were positively associated with NSBSC in bivariate analyses among Latina women, but unemployment did not remain significantly associated with NSBSC in the multiple logistic regression. There were no significant correlates of NSBSC for African American women. Having a chronic illness was significantly associated with NSBSC among European American women. Conclusion: Findings suggest the need for culturally tailored suicide prevention interventions and studies that examine risk and protective factors for NSBSC among a diversity of women abused by male intimate partners

References

  • Baca-Garcia, E., Perez-Rodriguez, M., Keyes, K. M., Oquendo, M. A., Hasin, D. S., Grant, B. F., & Blanco, C. (2011). Suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among Hispanic subgroups in the United States: 1991-1992 and 2001-2002. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 45, 512–518. 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2010.09.004 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Bender, M. L. (2000). Suicide and older African-American women. Mortality, 5, 158–170. 10.1080/713686004 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Black, M. C., Basile, K. C., Breiding, M. J., Smith, S. G., Walters, M. L., Merrick, M. T., … Stevens, M. R. (2011). The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey. 2010 Summary Report. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Brown, A., & Lopez, M. H. (2013). Mapping the Latino population, by state, county and city. Washington, DC: Pew Research Center. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Brown, G. K., Beck, A. T., Steer, R. A., & Grisham, J. R. (2000). Risk factors for suicide in psychiatric outpatients: A 20-year prospective study. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 68, 371–377. 10.1037//0022-006X.68.3.371 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Campbell, J. C., O'Sullivan, C., Roehl, J., & Webster, D. W. (2005). Intimate partner violence risk assessment validation study: The RAVE study. Final report to the National Institute of Justice (NCJ 209731-209732). Washington, DC: US Department of Justice. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Campbell, J. C., Webster, D., Koziol-McLain, J., Block, C., Campbell, D., Curry, M. A., … Laughon, K. (2003). Risk factors for femicide in abusive relationships: Results from a multisite case control study. American Journal of Public Health, 93, 1089–1097. 10.2105/AJPH.93.7.1089 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Campbell, J. C., Webster, D. W., & Glass, N. (2009). The Danger Assessment: Validation of a lethality risk assessment instrument for intimate partner femicide. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 24, 653–674. 10.1177/0886260508317180 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Canetto, S. S. (2008). Women and suicidal behavior: A cultural analysis. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 78, 259–266. 10.1037/a0013973 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Canetto, S. S., & Lester, D. (1998). Gender, culture, and suicidal behavior. Transcultural Psychiatry, 35, 163–190. 10.1177/136346159803500201 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Castle, K., Duberstein, P. R., Meldrum, S., Conner, K. R., & Conwell, Y. (2004). Risk factors for suicide in Blacks and Whites: An analysis of data from the 1993 National Mortality Followback Survey. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 161, 452–458. 10.1176/appi.ajp.161.3.452 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Cavanaugh, C. E., Messing, J. T., Amanor-Boadu, Y., O'Sullivan, C. O., Webster, D., & Campbell, J. (2014). Intimate partner sexual violence: A comparison of foreign- versus US-born physically abused Latinas. Journal of Urban Health, 91, 122–135. 10.1007/s11524-013-9817-8 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Cavanaugh, C. E., Messing, J. T., Del-Colle, M., O'Sullivan, C., & Campbell, J. C. (2011). Prevalence and correlates of suicidal behavior among adult female victims of intimate partner violence. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 372–383. 10.1111/j.1943-278X.2011.00035.x First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2010). WISQARS leading causes of death reports, 1999-2007. Retrieved from http://webappa.cdc.gov/sasweb/ncipc/leadcaus10.html First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Suicide: Risk and protective factors, 2014. Retrieved from http://webappa.cdc.gov/sasweb/ncipc/leadcaus10_us.html First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Cole, E. R. (2009). Intersectionality and research in psychology. American Psychologist, 64, 170–180. 10.1037/a0014564 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Cukrowicz, K. C., Jahn, D. R., Graham, R. D., Poindexter, E. K., & Williams, R. B. (2013). Suicide risk in older adults: Evaluating models of risk and predicting excess zeros in a primary care sample. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 122, 1021–1030. 10.1037/a0034953 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • De Leo, D., Burgis, S., Bertolote, J., Kerkhof, A., & Bille-Brahe, U. (2006). Definitions of suicidal behavior: Lessons learned from the WHO/EURO Multicentre Study. Crisis, 27, 4–15. 10.1027/0227-5910.27.1.4 First citation in articleLink, Google Scholar

  • DeJong, T. M., Overholser, J. C., & Stockmeier, C. A. (2010). Apples to oranges?: A direct comparison between suicide attempters and suicide completers. Journal of Affective Disorders, 124, 90–97. 10.1016/j.jad.2009.10.020 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Devries, K. M., Mak, J. Y., Bacchus, L. J., Child, J. C., Falder, G., Petzold, M., … Watts, C. H. (2013). Intimate partner violence and incident depressive symptoms and suicide attempts: A systematic review of longitudinal studies. PLoS Medicine/Public Library of Science, 10, e1001439. 10.1371/journal.pmed.1001439 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Ellis, J. B., & Range, L. M. (1991). Differences between blacks and whites, women and men, in reasons for living. Journal of Black Studies, 21, 341–347. First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Ellsberg, M., Jansen, H. A. F. M., Heise, L., Watts, C. H., & Garcia-Moreno, C. (2008). Intimate partner violence and women's physical and mental health in the WHO multi-country study on women's health and domestic violence: An observational study. Lancet, 371, 1165–1172. 10.1016/S0140-6736(08)60522-X First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Fortuna, L. R., Perez, D. J., Canino, G., Sribney, W., & Alegria, M. (2007). Prevalence and correlates of lifetime suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among Latino subgroups in the United States. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 68, 572–581. 10.4088/JCP.v68n0413 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Golding, J. M. (1999). Intimate partner violence as a risk factor for mental disorders: A meta-analysis. Journal of Family Violence, 14, 99–132. First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Goodman, L. A., Dutton, M. A., & Bennett, L. (2000). Predicting repeat abuse among arrested batterers: Use of the Danger Assessment Scale in the criminal justice system. American Journal of Public Health, 15, 63–74. 10.1177/088626000015001005 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Harris, E., & Barraclough, B. (1997). Suicide as an outcome for mental disorders: A meta-analysis. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 170, 205–228. 10.1192/bjp.170.3.205 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Heckert, D., & Gondolf, E. W. (2004). Battered women's perceptions of risk versus risk factors and instruments in predicting repeat reassault. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 19, 778–800. 10.1177/0886260504265619 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Heshusius, L. (1980). Female self-injury and suicide attempts: Culturally reinforced techniques in human relations. Sex Roles, 6, 843–857. 10.1007/BF00287239 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Hilton, N., Harris, G. T., Rice, M. E., Lang, C., Cormier, C. A., & Lines, K. J. (2004). A brief actuarial assessment for the prediction of wife assault recidivism: The Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment. Psychological Assessment, 16, 267–275. 10.1037/1040-3590.16.3.267 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Hilton, N. Z., Harris, G. T., Rice, M. E., Houghton, R. E., & Eke, A. W. (2008). An indepth actuarial assessment for wife assault recidivism: The Domestic Violence Risk Appraisal Guide. Law and Human Behavior, 32, 150–163. 0.1007/s10979-007-9088-6 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Holden, K. B., McKenzie, R., Pruitt, V., Aaron, K., & Hall, S. (2012). Depressive symptoms, substance abuse, and intimate partner violence among pregnant women of diverse ethnicities. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 23, 226–241. 10.1353/hpu.2012.0022 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Houry, D., Kaslow, N. J., & Thompson, M. P. (2005). Depressive symptoms in women experiencing intimate partner violence. American Journal of Public Health, 20, 1467–1477. 10.1177/0886260505278529 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Kaslow, N. J., Leiner, A. S., Reviere, S., Jackson, E., Bethea, K., Bhaju, J., … Thompson, M. P. (2010). Suicidal, abused African American women's response to a culturally informed intervention. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 78, 449–458. 10.1037/a0019692 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K., & Newton, T. L. (2001). Marriage and health: His and hers. Psychological Bulletin, 127, 472–503. 10.1037/0033-2909.127.4.472 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Liu, R. T., Case, B. G., & Spirito, A. (2014). Injection drug use is associated with suicide attempts but not ideation or plans in a sample of adolescents with depressive symptoms. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 56, 65–71. 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2014.05.001 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • McCullumsmith, C. B., Clark, C. B., Perkins, A., Fife, J., & Cropsey, K. L. (2013). Gender and racial differences for suicide attempters and ideators in a high-risk community corrections population. Crisis, 34, 50–62. 10.1027/0227-5910/a000160 First citation in articleLink, Google Scholar

  • McFarlane, J., Malecha, A., Gist, J., Watson, K., Batten, E., Hall, I., & Smith, S. (2005). Intimate partner sexual assault against women and associated victim substance use, suicidality, and risk factors for femicide. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 26, 953–967. 10.1080/01612840500248262 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • McLaughlin, J., O'Carroll, R., & O'Connor, R. (2012). Intimate partner abuse and suicidality: A systematic review. Clinical Psychology Review, 32, 677–689. 10.1016/j.cpr.2012.08.002 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Meadows, L. A., Kaslow, N. J., Thompson, M. P., & Jurkovic, G. J. (2005). Protective factors against suicide attempt risk among African American women experiencing intimate partner violence. American Journal of Community Psychology, 36, 109–121. 10.1007/s10464-005-6236-3 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Nicolaidis, C., Wahab, S., Trimble, J., Mejia, A., Mitchell, S. R., Raymaker, D., … Waters, A. S. (2013). The Interconnections Project: Development and evaluation of a community-based depression program for African American violence survivors. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 28, 530–538. 10.1007/s11606-012-2270-7 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Nock, M. K., Borges, G., Bromet, E. J., Cha, C. B., Kessler, R. C., & Lee, S. (2008). Suicide and suicidal behavior. Epidemiologic Reviews, 30, 133–154. 10.1093/epirev/mxn002 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Qin, P., Agerbo, E., Westergard-Nielsen, N., Erikkson, T., & Mortenson, P. B. (2000). Gender differences in risk factors for suicide in Denmark. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 177, 546–550. 10.1192/bjp.177.6.546 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Reviere, S. L., Farber, E. W., Twomey, H., Okun, A., Jackson, E., Zanville, H., & Kaslow, N. J. (2007). Intimate partner violence and suicidality in low-income African American women: A multimethod assessment of coping factors. Violence Against Women, 13, 1113–1129. 10.1177/1077801207307798 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Ribeiro, J. D., Silva, C., & Joiner, T. E. (2014). Overarousal interacts with a sense of fearlessness about death to predict suicide risk in a sample of clinical outpatients. Psychiatry Research, 218, 106–112. 10.1016/j.psychres.2014.03.036 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Rudmin, F. W., Ferrada-Noli, M., & Skolbekken, J.-A. (2003). Questions of culture, age and gender in the epidemiology of suicide. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 44, 373–381. 10.1111/1467-9450.00357 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Shaffer, D., Gould, M. S., Fisher, P., Trautman, P., Moreau, D., Kleinman, M., & Flory, M. (1996). Psychiatric diagnosis in child and adolescent suicide. Archives of General Psychiatry, 53, 339–348. 10.1001/archpsyc.1996.01830040075012 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Silverman, M. M., Berman, A. L., Sanddal, N. D., O'Carroll, P. W., & Joiner, T. E. (2007a). Rebuilding the Tower of Babel: A revised nomenclature for the study of suicide and suicidal behaviors. Part 2: Suicide-related ideations, communications, and behaviors. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 37, 264–277. 10.1521/suli.2007.37.3.264 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Silverman, M. M., Berman, A. L., Sanddal, N. D., O'Carroll, P. W., & Joiner, T. E., Jr. (2007b). Rebuilding the Tower of Babel: A revised nomenclature for the study of suicide and suicidal behaviors: Part 1: Background, rationale, and methodology. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 37, 248–263. 10.1521/suli.2007.37.3.248 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Thompson, M. P., Kaslow, N. J., & Kingree, J. B. (2002). Risk factors for suicide attempts among African American women experiencing recent intimate partner violence. Violence and Victims, 17, 283–295. 10.1891/vivi.17.3.283.33658 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Tjaden, P., & Thoennes, N. (2000). Extent, nature, and consequences of intimate partner violence: Findings from the National Violence Against Women Survey. Retrieved from http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/181867.pdf First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • US Department of Justice. (2011). Homicide trends in the United States, 1980-2008: Annual rates for 2009 and 2010. Retrieved from http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/htus8008.pdf First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Uribe, I., Blasco-Fontecilla, H., Garcia-Pares, G., Batalla, M., Capdevila, M., Meca, A., … Vidal, D. (2013). Attempted and completed suicide: Not what we expected? Journal of Affective Disorders, 150, 840–846. 10.1016/j.jad.2013.03.013 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Van Orden, K. A., Witte, T. K., Cukrowicz, K. C., Braithwaite, S. R., Selby, E. A., & Joiner, T. E., Jr. (2010). The interpersonal theory of suicide. Psychological Review, 117, 575–600. 10.1037/a0018697 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Weisz, A. N., Tolman, R. M., & Saunders, D. G. (2000). Assessing the risk of severe domestic violence: The importance of survivors' predictions. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 15, 75–90. 10.1177/088626000015001006 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Zayas, L. H., Bright, C. L., Alvarez-Sanchez, T., & Cabassa, L. J. (2009). Acculturation, familism and mother-daughter relations among suicidal and non-suicidal adolescent Latinas. The Journal of Primary Prevention, 30, 351–369. 10.1007/s10935-009-0181-0 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar

  • Zayas, L. H., & Pilat, A. M. (2008). Suicidal behavior in Latinas: Explanatory cultural factors and implications for intervention. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 38, 334–342. 10.1521/suli.2008.38.3.334 First citation in articleCrossref Medline, Google Scholar