Risk factors for suicide attempts among African American women

The aim of this study was to examine psychological and interpersonal risk f actors for suicidal behavior in low income, African American women; 285 Afr ican American women who reported being in a relationship with a partner in the past year were studied, 148 presented to the hospital following a suici de attempt, and 137 presented for general medical cave. Cases were compared to controls with respect to psychological symptoms, alcohol and drug abuse , family violence (intimate partner abuse, childhood trauma), relationship discord, and serial support. Psychological risk factors for suicide attempt s at the univariate level included psychological distress [Crude Odds Ratio (COR) = 6.5], post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms (COR = 3.8), hopelessness (COR = 7.7), and drag abase (COR = 4.2). Interpersonal risk fa ctors at the univariate level included relationship discord (COR = 4.0), ph ysical partner abuse (COR = 2.5), nonphysical partner abuse (COR = 2.8), ch ildhood maltreatment (COR = 3.2), and low levels of social support (COR = 2 .6). A multivariate logistic regression model identified four variables tha t were strongly and independently associated with an increased risk for sui cide attempts: psychological distress, hopelessness, drug abuse, and relati onship discord. The model predicted suicide attempt status correctly 77% of the time. The results reveal that African American women who report high l evels of psychological distress, hopelessness, drag use, and relationship d iscord should be assessed carefully for suicidal ideation and referred for appropriate mental health care. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.