(Vienna, 23-07-2026) It is well established from individual-level studies that women subjected to gender-based violence are more likely to experience mental health disorders and face a heightened risk of suicidal behaviour. A research team at the Medical University of Vienna has now demonstrated that this correlation also extends to the population level. The findings, recently published in the "Journal of Interpersonal Violence", provide the first evidence that elevated levels of gender-based violence are correlated with higher suicide rates among women.
As part of the study, the research team led by Armin Trojer, Daniel König-Castillo and Stephan Listabarth (Division of Social Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, MedUni Vienna) analysed national data from 37 countries in the WHO European Region. The study was based on the internationally recognised "Violence against Women Index" (VAWI), which measures the extent of gender-based violence in countries using eleven indicators across four overarching forms of violence. These include physical, sexual and psychological violence, as well as forms of discrimination that restrict women’s economic independence (socio-economic violence). The VAWI scores were compared with the age-standardised female suicide rates in the respective countries. To examine the correlation as robustly as possible, the researchers also took into account other factors that may influence suicide rates, including gross domestic product per capita, the unemployment rate, and indicators relating to healthcare and crime.
Better data collection for targeted prevention
The analyses revealed a significant correlation of VAWI scores and female suicide rates (from the mid-range of VAWI upwards). In the range of low VAWI scores, however, the opposite correlation was observed. "This finding could be explained by differences in the recording of violence against women and suicides between countries. Both factors can influence statistical analyses at the population level," explains co-lead author Daniel König-Castillo. The VAWI scores for the countries studied, which range from 0 to 1, vary from 0.035 in Norway to 0.292 in Moldova. Female suicide rates range from 1.24 deaths per 100,000 women in Greece to 8.54 per 100,000 women in Belgium. In Austria, the VAWI score is 0.096; with 5.74 deaths per 100,000 women, the female suicide rate is comparatively high.
Gender-based violence constitutes one of the most prevalent violations of human rights globally. According to estimates by the World Health Organization, approximately one in three women experience such violence within their lifetime. Prior research has demonstrated that such experiences of violence can increase the risk of developing mental health disorders and suicidal behaviour. The current study, broadens this understanding through a multinational, population-level analysis that considers multiple dimensions of gender-based violence. "Our study highlights the importance of data collection that is as comprehensive and internationally comparable as possible. Violence against women and suicides are still not recorded equally everywhere. Improvements in this area would not only strengthen the data available for further research, but also help to break the taboo surrounding the issue and facilitate the planning of targeted prevention measures," says study lead Stephan Listabarth.
Publication: Journal of Interpersonal Violence
Analyzing the association of gender-based violence on national suicide rates – a multinational ecological study.
Armin Trojer, Thomas Waldhoer, Lea Sommer, Sabine Weber, Antonia Renner, Marion C. Aichberger, Sophia Geßner, Benjamin Vyssoki, Daniel König, Stephan Listabarth.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/08862605261463256