Suicidal women may risk their lives but not their social relationships

Objective: Risk-taking is an important but understudied suicidal factor, particularly concerning women. This study examined a broad range of risk behaviours and perceptions that might aid the early detection of suicidality by clinicians and gatekeepers.

Method: A purposive anonymous online survey, preferable for collecting data on stigmatised issues, produced a sample of 273 Australian/New Zealand women (aged 18–67 years) covering a broad spectrum of suicidal factors and risk-taking behaviours. Participants completed items on risk-taking perceptions and behavioural willingness, and the Suicidal Affect-Behavior-Cognition Scale. Demographic factors were controlled for in partial correlations and hierarchical regression modelling, which tested the validity of risk-taking variables as predictors of suicidality.

Results: Suicidality was positively associated with willingness to engage in infidelity, not wearing seatbelts or motorcycle helmets, and negatively associated with interpersonal risk-taking (unwillingness to endanger social relationships). Hierarchical regression modelling revealed these risk-taking perceptions and behaviours explained 34% of the variance in women's suicidality, after accounting for age and ethnicity.

Conclusions: This study demonstrated that some types of commonplace risk-taking, or avoidance, may serve as important indicators or warning signs for suicidal crises in women. Clinicians should consider possible underlying psychological distress when encountering these symptoms and behaviours.