Do Coping Strategies Mediate the Relationship Between Parental Attachment and Self-Harm in Young People?

Abstract

Insecure attachment is associated with self-harm in young people, but little research has explored the pathways through which this relationship develops. We investigated whether attachment impacts on self-harm via its effect on coping strategies and appraisal of problem-solving abilities. A total of 314 students aged 18–20 years completed an online survey with measures of parental attachment, emotion-focused and problem-focused coping strategies, and psychological distress and self-harm. A mediational model was not supported as there were no direct effects between parental attachment and self-harm. However, analysis of specific indirect pathways revealed that perceived parental attachment impacts on self-harm through problem-focused coping. Higher quality of attachment was associated with greater reliance on problem-focused (adaptive) coping, which in turn was associated with a decreased risk of having self-harmed. Furthermore, poorer paternal attachment was associated with lower appraisal of problem-solving skills, which in turn was associated with an increased risk of having self-harmed. Individuals with insecure attachment may be more vulnerable to self-harm because they lack other more constructive coping strategies for relieving stress.

Keywords:

• attachment
• coping
• self-harm
• young people

Notes

¹High scores indicate greater levels of anxiety and depression.

²High scores indicate greater perceived quality of attachment.

³High scores indicate perceived ineffective problem solver.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Katie Glazebrook

Katie Glazebrook, School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.

Ellen Townsend

Ellen Townsend, School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.

Kapil Sayal

Kapil Sayal, Division of Psychiatry & Applied Psychology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.