Intimate partner violence and suicidality among Australian males: A longitudinal analysis

Evidence regarding the linkage between intimate partner violence (IPV) and suicidality among males is limited. This gap contributes to a siloed approach to prevention of these important public health concerns.

To examine the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between IPV use, exposure and suicidality (suicidal ideation and attempts) among Australian adult males.

Data were drawn from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health (n = 13,898), spanning baseline, two-year, and six-year follow-ups. IPV exposure and use were assessed at Wave 1. Cross-sectional associations with lifetime suicidal ideation and attempts were examined at baseline, and prospective associations with suicidal ideation and attempts in the preceding 12 months were assessed at Waves 2 and 3. Modified Poisson and logistic regression models were applied.

At baseline, 30.3% reported IPV exposure and 23.7% reported IPV use. Both IPV exposure (RR = 1.85; 95% CI: 1.69-2.02) and IPV use (RR = 1.96; 95% CI: 1.79-2.14) were associated with lifetime suicidal ideation; each was also linked with more than twice the odds of lifetime suicide attempts. IPV exposure and use at Wave 1 prospectively predicted suicidal ideation and attempts two years later, but these associations were no longer evident at the six-year follow-up. Males reporting both IPV exposure and use had the highest risk, though combined effects were less than multiplicative.

Findings highlight the need for integrated IPV and suicide-prevention approaches and suggest that targeted mental-health assessment and early intervention is needed. Addressing male suicidality needs to therefore complement, rather than compete with, IPV-prevention efforts.