title: Intimate partner abuse and suicidality: a systematic review.
abstract: Research has demonstrated an association between intimate partner abuse and suicidality, presenting a serious mental health issue. However, studies have differed widely in the samples and methods employed, and in the depth of the investigation. Given the level of heterogeneity in the literature, this systematic review examines, for the first time, the nature of the relationship between intimate partner abuse and suicidality. The three main psychological and medical databases (PsychInfo 1887-March 2011; Medline, 1966-March 2011; Web of Knowledge 1981-March 2011) were searched. Thirty-seven papers on the topic of intimate partner abuse and suicidality were found. With only one exception, all of the studies found a strong and consistent association between intimate partner abuse and suicidality. Significantly, this relationship held irrespective of study design, sample and measurement of abuse and suicidality, thus demonstrating a consistently strong relationship between intimate partner abuse and suicidality. This review highlights that intimate partner abuse is a significant risk factor for suicidal thoughts and behaviours, which has important clinical implications.
authors.affiliation: University of Stirling, Suicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory, School of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK. jennifer.mclaughlin@stir.ac.uk
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McLaughlin
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: O'Carroll
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: O'Connor
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult; D000092864:Suicide Prevention