Interpersonal violence increases the risk of repeated suicide attempts

A study conducted by researchers from the Karolinska Institute shows that patients with an experience of violence have an increased risk to carry out repeated suicide attempts.

In a multicenter study conducted at the emergency hospitals in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Umeå, patients who have survived a suicide attempt have been interviewed. The interviews include their experiences of using violence and being exposed to violence. Of the 355 patients included in the study 78 repeated a suicide attempt during the follow-up period of six months. The risk of repeating an attempt proved to be associated with their reported experiences of violence. A specific finding among the women in the study was that exposure to violence as an adult was associated with repeated violent suicide attempts.

“Our results support the hypothesis that experiences of violence could be associated with the development of suicidal behavior. Better identification of patients' experiences of violence may enhance suicide risk assessments,” says researcher Axel Haglund at the Karolinska Institute.

Publication

”Interpersonal violence and the prediction of short-term risk of repeat suicide attempt”

Axel Haglund, Åsa Lindh, Henrik Lysell, Ellinor Salander Renberg, Jussi Jokinen, Margda Waern, Bo Runeson

Scientific Reports, published online 14 November 2016. DOI:10.1038/srep36892