Healing from suicide: adolescent perceptions of attachment relationships

ABSTRACT

Relatively little is known about how adolescents overcome being suicidal. The purpose of this study was to develop an understanding of adolescents’ perceptions of the role of attachment relationships in the process of overcoming suicidality. Forty-one female and nine male adolescents, previously suicidal between the ages of 13 and 19, were interviewed. Qualitative data were analysed using a grounded theory approach. The study identified three main categories: (a) attachment relationships; (b) experiences of attachment; and (c) changing self-perceptions. Participants consistently reported the creation of a secure attachment as being pivotal to healing from suicidal feelings. Implications for counselling practice are discussed.

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Grant #G124130332.

Notes

1. http://www.ualberta.ca/∼unisecr/policy/sec66.html