Partner abuse and posttraumatic stress disorder as risk factors for suicide attempts in a sample of low-income, inner-city women

This study examined partner abuse and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as risk factors for suicidal behavior among women, and whether or not PTSD mediated the partner abuse-suicidal behavior association. Attempters (n = 1 19) were approximately three times more likely to be above clinical cut-poi nts for physical partner abuse, nonphysical abuse, and PTSD than nonattempt ers (n = 85). Physical partner abuse, but not nonphysical partner abuse, wa s associated with an increased risk for PTSD. Further, PTSD mediated the li nk between physical partner abuse and suicidality, such that when PTSD was statistically controlled, the association between physical partner abuse an d suicide attempt status was reduced to nonsignificance. Implications of fi ndings for interventions for female victims of partner abuse, and women who make nonfatal suicide attempts are discussed.