The Pathway From Intimate Partner Violence to Suicide Risk Through Traumatic Stress and Substance Use: An Analysis...

A significant number of completed suicides lack clear underlying causes. This is largely attributed to potential data distortion or under-reporting influenced by religious, social, political, and other contextual factors. Additionally, many individuals who attempt suicide have been exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV), and that traumatic stress, alcohol and substance use are also among the associated variables. In this regard, the main purpose of this study is to determine the variables that predict the likelihood of suicide among women exposed to IPV. Thus, this study developed a structural equation model in which traumatic stress, exposure to IPV, and levels of addiction serve as predictors of suicide risk.

The study sample consisted of 126 women who applied to a publicly funded psychiatric clinic. Clinical Global Impression Scale, Composite Abuse Scale Revised-Short Form, Risk Screening Questionnare for alcohol and drug use (BAPIRT), Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5, and Suicide Probability Scale are the data collection tools.

Results show that IPV influences suicide likelihood indirectly through addiction severity and traumatic stress. Further, several indirect pathways were found to be statistically significant: IPV significantly predicted addiction severity; IPV significantly predicted trauma-related stress; addiction severity significantly predicted suicide probability; trauma-related stress significantly predicted suicide probability (p <0.05).

The present study highlights the links between IPV, traumatic stress, substance use, and suicide risk. These findings emphasize the need for a multidimensional approach in clinical assessments. Routine screening for IPV in psychiatric evaluations is essential. Future research should examine these pathways in diverse populations to inform prevention and intervention strategies.