The interconnectedness and causes of female suicidal ideation with domestic violence

Abstract

Although there is a significant body of knowledge about suicide, in particular male suicide, very limited empirical data exist about female suicidal ideation. This theoretical analysis considers the extent to which domestic violence may constitute an underlying cause of female suicidality by examining published literature mainly from Australia. It explores major effects of domestic violence, investigates the prevalence of suicide in women, and then considers the relationships between domestic violence, mental disorders in women, victim-blaming attitudes and female suicidality. The paper suggests that a traditional victim-blaming attitude towards abused women is considerably interrelated with female suicide. It is recommended that female suicidal ideation, which may be caused by domestic violence, needs to be recognised as an important women’s and public health issue.

Keywords:

• women
• suicide
• suicidal ideation
• domestic violence
• depression