Suicide attempts by battered wives

During an 8-month period a total of 117 battered wives, all seeking emergency surgical care, were identified. Twenty-two of the battered wives were found to have made 82 suicide attempts during the 16-year study period. This corresponds to an incidence more than 8 times that of an unselected population of women being treated because of attempted suicide in the same hospital. The suicide attempts were predominately passive methods. Although conflict with the husband was the most common triggering factor for the attempt, mental disorder of the woman was another main cause. It is concluded that the doctor, when confronted with a patient who has attempted suicide, always should consider the possibility of ongoing physical abuse. Although battering generally is not the only explanation, the physician should remember this possibility and the patient should, if necessary, be referred to proper care services.