Attachment styles and suicide-related behaviors in adolescence: The mediating role of self-criticism and dependency.

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.