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Violence, alcohol, and completed suicide: a case-control study
K R Conner1, C Cox, P R Duberstein
1Center for Study and Prevention of Suicide, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA. kenneth_conner@urmc.rochester.edu
The American Journal of Psychiatry
|October 2, 2001
Summary
Violent behavior in the year before death significantly predicted suicide, particularly for those without alcohol misuse history, younger individuals, and women. This highlights violence prevention as a potential suicide prevention strategy.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Psychiatry
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Violent behavior is a potential risk factor for suicide.
- Understanding the relationship between violent behavior and suicide is crucial for prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the hypothesis that violent behavior in the last year of life is associated with completed suicide.
- To determine if this association persists after controlling for alcohol use disorders.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from the 1993 National Mortality Followback Survey.
- Comparison of 753 suicide victims with 2,115 accident victims (aged 20-64).
- Use of logistic regression to assess predictors of suicide versus accidental death, controlling for covariates.
Main Results:
- Violent behavior in the past year was a significant predictor of suicide.
- The association was stronger in individuals with no history of alcohol misuse, younger individuals, and women.
- Violent behavior distinguished suicide victims from accident victims, independent of alcohol misuse.
Conclusions:
- Violent behavior is a key factor distinguishing suicide victims from accident victims.
- The findings are not solely attributable to alcohol use disorders.
- Violence prevention initiatives may contribute to suicide risk reduction.