Men, suicide, and family and interpersonal violence: A mixed methods exploratory study

Suicide Rates in High-Risk High-Harm Perpetrators of Domestic Abuse in England and Wales

Background A limited amount of research indicates a high prevalence of mental illness in perpetrators of domestic abuse (DA). Aims Estimate the suicide rate in high-risk high-harm perpetrators of DA. Method We utilized data collected as part of Drive, which supports and challenges perpetrators of DA to reduce their harmful behaviors. Using routine anonymized data, we established a cohort of clients (n = 3,475) who were referred via Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences to the service and were followed up during service engagement. Results Most clients were male (92%) and White British (76%) with a median age of 32 years (IQI 27-39). There were 10 male suicide deaths recorded with an estimated male suicide rate of 461 per 100,000 person years (95% CI 248, 856). Limitations Analysis was restricted to those referred to the service and a specific group of perpetrators, limiting the generalizability to all perpetrators of DA. Conclusion The suicide rate in this high-risk high-harm DA perpetrator group is significantly higher than many other high-risk groups. Improving their mental health and outcomes is imperative to reduce the suicide deaths in this group and therefore reduce the impact such deaths would have on the victims of abuse.

Suicide-related behavior and firearm access among perpetrators of domestic violence subject to domestic violence protection orders

Perpetrators of domestic violence (DV) may be a population at elevated risk of suicide. Domestic violence protection orders (DVPOs) can include the removal of firearms from the individual subjected to the order (i.e., the respondent) to protect the victim-survivor. While removal of firearms in a DVPO is designed to protect the victim-survivor; it may also prevent suicide of the respondent by reducing access to lethal means. Therefore, we examined the association of respondent suicide-related behaviors with firearm possession and weapon use in DV among a sample of granted DVPO petitions in King County, Washington (WA), United States from 2014 to 2020 (n = 2,537). We compared prevalence ratios (PR) of respondent firearm possession and use of firearms or weapons to threaten or harm by suicide-related behavior. Overall, respondent suicide-related behavior was commonly reported by petitioners (46 %). Approximately 30 % of respondents possessed firearms. This was similar between respondents with and without a history of suicide-related behavior (PR: 1.03; 95 % CI: 0.91-1.17). Respondents with a history of suicide-related behavior were 1.33 times more likely to have used firearms or weapons to threaten/harm in DV compared to those without a history of suicide-related behavior (44.1 % vs. 33.8 %; 95 % CI: 1.20-1.47). In conclusion, both firearm possession and suicide-related behaviors were common among DVPO respondents. History of suicide-related behavior may be a marker for firearm-related harm to the victim-survivor. Evaluations of DVPO firearm dispossession should consider both firearm-related injury of the victim-survivor and suicide of the respondent.

Prevalence and correlates of passive and active suicidal ideation among students entering graduate courses

OBJECTIVE

to identify the prevalence and factors associated with passive and active suicidal ideation throughout life among students entering graduate courses.

METHOD

an analytical and cross-sectional study with a sample comprised of 321 students entering graduate courses. Multiple descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed.

RESULTS

the multivariate analyses indicated that passive and active suicidal ideation were similarly more prevalent among female students belonging to minority sexual orientations who engaged in daily physical activity ≤ 30 minutes/day and were victims of psychological violence in the past 12 months. Alcohol abuse, family relationships not impaired due to the demands imposed by stricto sensu graduate studies and low self-esteem were only associated with passive suicidal ideation. In turn, recent marijuana use in the last 30 days, poor interpersonal relationships with academic peers, and engagement in professional activities concomitantly with the demands imposed by graduate studies were only associated with active suicidal ideation.

CONCLUSION

high prevalence of lifetime passive and active suicidal ideation was identified among graduate students, and similarities and differences were verified between some associated factors for both outcomes.