Social support, attachment, and drug misuse in suicidal African American women

Abstract

This study examined social support and attachment in women with and without drug misuse. Data were collected from 146 African American female suicide attempters who presented at an inner-city hospital. MANOVAs revealed that compared to their counterparts who did not misuse drugs, women who reported drug misuse had lower levels of family and friend support (Social Support Behaviours Scale), lower scores on secure attachment and higher scores on fearful and dismissive attachments (Relationship Style Questionnaire). Low-social support and less secure attachments make treatment engagement challenging and require interventions designed to enhance participation.

• African american women
• attachment
• drug misuse
• social support
• suicide

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.