Selvmordsrisiko etter ekteskapsbrudd

Abstract

Close and long-lasting interpersonal relationships are important to peoples’ well-being and ability to function, and the disruption of strong bonds may cause significant stress. This study, in line with earlier studies, shows that marital breakdown is associated with increased risk of suicide. In addition, this study provides valuable knowledge on the risk among separated, the temporal effect after a marital breakdown, and of how increased risk varies with individual socioeconomic background. By utilization of Norwegian population registers, all suicides in the period 1992-2012 (N = 11 051) were matched on sex and age with up to 20 controls (N = 185 - 685) each in a nested case-control design, and odds ratios for suicide were calculated with conditional logistic regression. Being separated was associated with a significantly higher risk of suicide than being divorced for both men and women, and the risk was highest the first month of the separation period and most pronounced in the age-group 35-49 years. The odds ratios did not vary significantly with education-level, however, the risk associated with being divorced was more increased for women with low compared to high income. The study shows that it may be need for preventive measures towards those who have recently been through a marital breakdown.