6533b853fe1ef96bd12ad602

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Attachment Styles and Suicide-Related Behaviors in Adolescence: The Mediating Role of Self-Criticism and Dependency

Maria Cristina VerrocchioDanilo CarrozzinoMario FulcheriGiorgio FalgaresSandro De SantisDaniel C. Kopala-sibleyDaniela Marchetti

subject

050103 clinical psychologyMediation (statistics)Self-criticismmedia_common.quotation_subjectDepressive experiences questionnaire for adolescentdepressive experiences questionnaire for adolescentsmediation effect03 medical and health sciences0302 clinical medicineSettore M-PSI/07 - Psicologia DinamicamedicineAttachment theoryPersonality0501 psychology and cognitive sciencesSuicide RiskattachmentsuicideOriginal Researchmedia_commonPsychiatry05 social sciencesSettore M-PSI/03 - Psicometria030227 psychiatryPsychiatry and Mental healthInsecure attachmentAttachment Depressive Experiences Questionnaire for adolescents Personality Suicide mediation effectpersonalityAnxietymedicine.symptomPsychologyDependency (project management)Clinical psychology

description

Insecure attachment and the personality dimensions of self-criticism and dependency have been proposed as risk factors for suicide in adolescents. The present study examines whether self-criticism and dependency mediate the relationship between insecure attachment styles and suicidality. A sample of 340 high-school students (73.2% females), ranging in age from 13 to 20 years (M = 16.47, SD = 1.52), completed the Depressive Experiences Questionnaire for Adolescents, the Depressive Experiences Questionnaire for Adolescents, the Attachment Style Questionnaire, and the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised. The results partially support the expected mediation effects. Self-criticism, but not dependency, mediates the link between insecure attachment (anxiety and avoidance) and suicide-related behaviors. Implications for suicide risk assessment and management are discussed.

10.3389/fpsyt.2017.00036http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2017.00036