Related Experiment Videos
[Romantic Attachment and Post Breakup Depression Symptoms and Suicidal Behaviour]
Audrey Brassard1, Marianne St-Laurent Dubé, Kristin Gehl1
1Département de psychologie, Université de Sherbrooke.
Sante Mentale Au Quebec
|April 28, 2020
Summary
Attachment anxiety, not avoidance, predicts higher depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts after a romantic breakup. This highlights the importance of assessing attachment styles in post-breakup mental health care.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Attachment Theory
Context:
- Romantic breakups are significant stressors associated with adverse mental health outcomes.
- Attachment insecurities, specifically anxiety and avoidance, may influence adjustment following relationship dissolution.
Purpose:
- To investigate the relationship between romantic attachment insecurities (anxiety, avoidance) and depressive symptoms and suicidal behavior after a romantic breakup.
- To examine the moderating role of gender in these associations.
Summary:
- Attachment-related anxiety, but not avoidance, was significantly associated with increased depressive symptoms and suicidal ideas (severity and intensity) post-breakup.
- These associations remained significant after controlling for avoidance and social support.
- Gender did not moderate the observed relationships.
Impact:
- Findings underscore the utility of attachment theory in understanding post-breakup adjustment.
- Highlights the critical role of attachment-related anxiety in the development of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation.
- Suggests assessing attachment-related anxiety in adults seeking help after a romantic breakup is crucial for effective intervention.