Relationship Between Attachment Styles and Personality Traits in 18- to 49-Year-Old Female Patients Hospitalized in a Psychiatric Clinic Following a Suicide Attempt.

Abstract

Purpose: Suicide remains a major global health concern, with women showing higher rates of nonfatal attempts than men. The current cross-sectional study examined relationships among attachment styles (avoidant, anxious), personality traits (Big Five), and sociodemographic factors among 80 women aged 18 to 49 years hospitalized in a psychiatric clinic following a suicide attempt.

Method: Participants completed the Experiences in Close Relationships Inventory-II and Big Five Personality Scale-Short Form.

Results: Results indicated that lower conscientiousness, particularly in self-supervision, predicted avoidant attachment, whereas heightened neuroticism was significantly associated with anxious attachment. Additional findings revealed that lower income and family history of psychiatric illness correlated with elevated anxious attachment, underscoring the role of socioeconomic pressures and intergenerational mental health risks.

Conclusion: Overall, findings highlight the intertwined nature of attachment styles and personality traits in suicidality, emphasizing the need for intervention strategies targeting emotional regulation, self-control, and early maladaptive attachments to mitigate future risk.