Attachment, Depression, Self, Self-Esteem, and Suicidality

Part 1 of this book examines developmental psychopathology perspectives on the relationship between attachment, depression, self, and self-esteem with reference to the place of self-esteem in attachment theory. Additionally, insecure attachment and low self-esteem are each thought to play a role in the development of psychopathology. Using depression as an example the relationship between self-esteem, attachment and psychopathology using depression are examined.Part 2 of this book focuses on suicidal behaviour. Suicidal behaviour in adolescence remains a major public health issue. Attempters that repeated attempt suicide appear to have more psychological features impairing emotional stability which may be related to insecure anxious attachment. Insecure attachment is associated with suicidal behavior and has a bearing on therapeutic intervention. Studies focusing on attachment aim to develop a theoretical framework for the role played by connectedness (attachment) in relation to suicide. For example, within the construct of insecure attachment, the personality dimensions of self-criticism rather than dependency has been identified as risk factors for suicide in adolescents. In clinical samples, negative expectancies for caregiver availability have been associated both with attachment insecurity and with the intensity of adolescents' suicidal ideation. Theories of suicidal behavior suggest that suicidality arises from the disruption of interpersonal relationships. Much remains to be learned about the mechanisms that account for the relationship between attachment styles and the severity of suicidal ideation. One thing is certain. For better or worse, the personality of every human being emerges from a primary attachment relationship. The pathway to suicidality is complex and multiform and the quality of family relationships is one key factor modulating the trajectory of development toward or away from suicidality.