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Meta-analysis of 20 emergency department studies links intimate partner violence to three-fold higher suicide attempt risk

Trauma, violence & abuse (PubMed)Oct 17, 2026

AI-summarized from the linked source. Educational brief, not medical advice.

Brief summary

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 20 emergency department studies encompassing 7,498 women found intimate partner violence was associated with a three-fold increased risk of suicide attempt, with psychological violence showing a stronger association than physical violence.

What NurseJet pulled from the source

Women experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) and acute suicidality frequently seek medical evaluation in emergency departments (EDs), but the intersection between these two acute presentations is often overlooked during fast-paced triage. This systematic review, meta-analysis, and narrative synthesis synthesized 20 ED-based studies comprising 7,498 women across three global databases. Investigators used random-effects models and evaluated study quality with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist. Overall, 22% (95% CI: 11%–36%) of women presenting to the ED for suicide-related care had a history of physical IPV, while 13% (95% CI: 8%–18%) of women with known IPV histories reported active suicidality. A history of IPV was associated with a three-fold increase in the risk of suicide attempt (risk ratio [RR] 3.00; 95% CI: 1.39–6.47). Notably, psychological IPV demonstrated a stronger association with suicide risk (RR 3.23; 95% CI: 1.68–6.19) than physical IPV alone (RR 2.00; 95% CI: 1.26–3.17).

Why this matters for nurses

Emergency nurses are the primary healthcare professionals conducting universal triage, suicide risk screening (e.g., C-SSRS), and domestic violence assessments. Recognizing that nearly one-quarter of suicidal female presentations co-occur with IPV—and that non-physical, psychological abuse carries an even higher relative risk for suicide attempt—demands that ED nursing assessments integrate trauma-informed safety planning rather than treating suicidality and relationship violence in isolation.

Bedside takeaway

In an ED meta-analysis of 7,498 women, intimate partner violence tripled suicide attempt risk (RR 3.00), with psychological IPV (RR 3.23) linked more strongly than physical IPV (RR 2.00).

Key takeaways

  • Systematic review synthesized 20 emergency department studies encompassing 7,498 women.
  • Nearly 1 in 4 women (22%; 95% CI: 11%–36%) presenting to the ED with suicidality had experienced physical IPV.
  • IPV was associated with a three-fold higher risk of suicide attempt (RR 3.00; 95% CI: 1.39–6.47).
  • Psychological IPV showed a higher risk ratio for suicide attempts (RR 3.23; 95% CI: 1.68–6.19) than physical IPV (RR 2.00; 95% CI: 1.26–3.17).

Practice implications

  • Conduct routine IPV and suicide screenings privately away from companions or visitors, assess for emotional and psychological coercion even when physical injury is absent, and connect patients showing combined risk immediately to hospital social work, victim advocacy, and safe crisis intervention pathways.

Limitations & cautions

  • High between-study heterogeneity across meta-analytic models (I² > 75%); high risk of bias identified in half of the included primary studies; relied largely on cross-sectional self-reported survey measures.
  • AI-summarized from the linked source. Review the original article before applying to practice.

Citations

Exact source links

Public citations are filtered to exact credible source pages. Homepage-only or invalid links stay in admin review and are not shown here.

Trauma, violence & abuse (PubMed)

Trauma, violence & abuse (PubMed). Intimate Partner Violence and Suicide Risk among Women Presenting to Emergency Departments: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Narrative Synthesis.

Open original source

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42891520/

Professional education only

This summary does not replace clinical judgment, facility policy, provider orders, or official guidelines. Verify practice changes against the original source and local protocol.

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