Interpersonal Violence and Suicidal Behavior in Midlife African American Women

Abstract

Little research has focused on suicidal behavior of midlife women (Stillion & McDowell, 1996). There have been even less studies conducted on African American women in midlife. The lack of attention to suicide and suicidal behaviors in the midlife years seems incomprehensible, because the midlife years are the peak years for African American and White female suicide (Nisbet, 1996; Stillion & McDowell, 1996). Suicide is the ninth leading cause of death in the United States (National Center for Health Statistics, 1994). Men complete suicide more often than women (Ginsberg, 1992); however, women attempt suicide more often than men (Canetto & Sakinofsky, 1998). Among White and African American males and females, African American females have the lowest suicide rate (U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1994). In addition, suicide is two times more common among White American women than among African American women (Department of Health and Human Services, 1992). Even though completed suicide is more common among White women, suicidal behavior is not. Suicidal behavior refers to thoughts about killing oneself (ideation) and engaging in acts that could end one's life (suicidal attempts). Studies have shown the frequencies of suicide attempts are virtually the same between African American and White American women (Nisbet, 1996). Studies have also shown that women of both races who have histories of