The Influence of Parent and Peer Attachment in Adolescent's Suicidal Ideation: Mediating Effect of Depression and Anxiety

Abstract

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among parent attachment, peer attachment, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation of adolescents and the mediating effect of depression and anxiety in these relationships. METHODS This study targeted 916 middle and high schools students in three different cities. They completed a self-report questionnaire. RESULTS Parental attachment showed a highly positive correlation with peer attachment while parental attachment and peer attachment showed a highly negative correlation with depression and anxiety. In addition, parental attachment and peer attachment showed a highly negative correlation with suicidal ideation while depression and anxiety showed a highly positive correlation with suicidal ideation. Parental attachment, not only directly, but also indirectly, affects suicidal ideation with mediation of depression and anxiety, indicating that the more secure the level of attachment, the lower the occurrence of depression and anxiety are, which, as a result, can lower suicidal ideation tendency. CONCLUSION Parent attachment and peer attachment have a direct and indirect effect on suicidal ideation with the mediation of depression and anxiety, which plays a crucial role in suicidal ideation of adolescents. KEYWORDS: Parent attachment, Peer attachment, Depression, Anxiety, Suicidal ideation. Language: ko