Correlation Between Attachment Styles, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation and Suicide Behavior in Young Adults

Abstract

The current study examines the correlation between attachment styles, difficulties in emotion regulation and suicide behavior in young adults. A purposive sample of 200 young adults (18 -25) from Pune city was used for study. Participants completed the Measures of Attachment Style Questionnaire (MOAS), the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale- short form (DERS- SF), and the Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R). The data was analyzed using SPSS descriptive statistics and Spearman’s rho correlations were used. The findings revealed that insecure attachment styles—particularly avoidant and ambivalent—were positively correlated with higher levels of emotion regulation difficulties and suicide behavior. In contrast, secure attachment showed a significant negative correlation with both emotion dysregulation and suicide behavior. These results underscore the role of early attachment experiences and emotional coping mechanisms in influencing vulnerability to self-harm among youth.