Attachment style and history of childhood abuse in suicide attempters

Abstract

Insecure attachment style has been observed in some people with a history of suicide attempt. Furthermore, some types of abuse in childhood may predict suicide attempt in adulthood. The purpose of this study was to assess the attachment style, history of abuse, demographic information and number of suicide attempts in suicide attempters. This cross-sectional study was performed on 80 suicide attempters in Tehran in 2017. Demographic information, suicide behavior, attachment style and history of childhood abuse were assessed in a psychological interview using the Revised Adult Attachment Scale. Of all, 38.8% had attempted suicide once and 45% had experienced heavy maltreatment in childhood. There was no significant correlation between the number of suicide attempts and the attachment style. History of abuse could predict the number of suicide attempts in 17.3%, which was not significant; 78.8% had avoidant attachment style. The frequency of avoidant and ambivalent attachment styles was higher in suicide attempters who had experienced maltreatment in childhood. Considering the important role of attachment style and history of abuse in attempting suicide, knowledge in this regard is important especially in those at risk of suicide attempt to plan early psychological intervention and prevent suicide.