Attachment and resilience: Correlations with self-harming behavior in young age
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33910/2686-9527-2025-7-4-454-466Keywords:
individual resilience, self-harming behavior, attachment, emotional control, self-regulationAbstract
Introduction. Self-harming behavior is a serious problem that requires an in-depth analysis of contributing factors. Adverse life experiences play a significant role in the emergence of self-harm in adolescents and young adults. Existing research highlights associations of self-harming behaviors with physical, psychological, and sexual abuse, lack of family support, and dysfunctional relationships. Parent–child attachment serves as a significant protective factor against self-harm. Early childhood attachment influences trust in relationships and individual resilience. The quality of attachment to parents and peers can determine resilience, emotional regulation, and the ability to overcome difficulties. Our literature review indicates a positive association between insecure attachment and self-harm. For instance, K. Glazebrook and her colleagues found that adolescents with insecure attachments were more likely to engage in repeated self-harming behaviors, whereas those with secure attachments demonstrated better problem-solving and self-regulation skills.
Materials and Methods. This study investigates the relationships between attachment, individual resilience, and self-harming behavior. The sample comprised 78 respondents aged 20–40 years. Validated assessment methods were employed, and data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics.
Results. Participants exhibiting self-harming behavior showed significantly lower levels of trust towards their parents and reduced self-regulation. Significant differences were found between people who resorted to self-harm and those who did not in domains such as self-motivation and achievement, activity and initiative, emotional control and self-regulation. Furthermore, various aspects of individual resilience were found to be correlated with attachment to parents, while attachment to peers showed minimal correlations. The established correlations underscore the importance of attachment as a psychological factor that elevates the risk of self-harming behavior and warrants further investigation.
Conclusions. The findings may serve as a foundation for developing interventions aimed at enhancing attachment in young people to strengthen resilience and reduce the risk of self-harming behavior.
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