Parental Attachment and Adolescent Self-harm: : A multidimensional approach examining patterns of attachment in relation to self-harm

Abstract: The study explored maternal and paternal attachment, taking a multidimensional approach, in relation to adolescent self-harm. Based on adolescents’ perception of their mothers and fathers availability, anger, and empathy, we examined what contribution of attachment was most predictive of self-harm separately and simultaneously. The sample included 564 Canadian high school students in grade 8 to 12. The quantitative survey was conducted on computers, and was from a three year longitudinal study, using the second and third annual assessments. Cross-sectionally, the results suggested low parental availability, anger toward mothers, and low empathy toward fathers to be related to self-harm. Longitudinal analysis did not support the hypotheses. In sum, attachment to mothers and fathers both contributed to the understanding of adolescent self-harm.