ATTACHMENT ORGANIZATION AND HISTORY OF SUICIDAL-BEHAVIOR IN CLINICAL ADOLESCENTS

One hundred thirty-three adolescents in psychiatric treatment particip ated in a case-comparison study investigating the association of attac hment patterns with a history of suicidal behaviors. The comparison gr oup comprised 64 adolescents who had never experienced suicidal ideati on or behaviors; the case group included 69 adolescents with histories of suicidal behavior (n = 53) and severe suicidal ideation (n = 16). Attachment patterns were assessed using the Adult Attachment Interview . In accordance with definitions provided in the scoring system, 86% o f case and 78% of comparison adolescents in psychiatric treatment had experienced attachment-related trauma. Lapses in the monitoring of rea soning or discourse occurred during the attempted discussion of these events in 73% of adolescents in the case group but in only 44% of adol escents in the clinical comparison group (p = .002), suggesting that c ognitive disorganization may be an important variable mediating betwee n traumatic experience and suicidal behavior. Female adolescents and o lder adolescents were significantly more likely than other adolescents to be in the case group. Preoccupied attachment, in interaction with unresolved-disorganized attachment, was associated with the case group , whereas dismissing attachment was associated with the comparison gro up.