Affect Regulation as a Mediator of Attachment and Deliberate Self‐Harm

Abstract

The authors used structural equation modeling to test the mediational role of affect regulation on attachment and deliberate self‐harm in 216 undergraduates. Results suggest that affect regulation mediates the relationship between attachment and deliberate self‐harm, providing support for the theoretical importance of attachment and affect regulation in the etiology of self‐harm behaviors. Accordingly, attachment styles should be considered when providing clinical assistance to college students in an effort to improve affect regulation and to treat deliberate self‐harm.