The role of parental bonding and early maladaptive schemas in suicidal behaviour

• Main Author: Dale, Rosanna
• Published: University of Edinburgh 2007
• Subjects: 155
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.649078

60 participants completed the study following their presentation at Accident & Emergency with suicidal behaviour, and routine Liaison Psychiatry psychosocial assessment. A semi-structured interview was conducted, in which participants completed measures of parental bonding (Parental Bonding Instrument); schemas (Young Schema Questionnaire); suicidal intent (Pierce Suicide Intent Scale); risk of repeating suicidal behaviour (Risk of Repetition Scale); anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory); and depression (Beck Depression Inventory). In the first phase of the study, measures of parental bonding, schemas, anxiety and depression were compared between this suicidal behaviour group and a primary care mental health group and a non-clinical group, collected in a previous study. The second phase of the study utilised a within-group design and examined relationships on all measures within the suicidal behaviour group. Initial analysis of variance exploration indicated that the three groups significantly differed on measures of anxiety, depression, parental care/control and schemas. Post-hoc analysis demonstrated that there were no significant differences, however, between the suicidal behaviour group and primary care mental health group on measures of parental bonding. Within the suicidal behaviour group, significant associations were indicated between parental care and risk of repetition; parental control and risk of repetition; and schemas and risk of repetition. Suicidal intent was not found to be associated with any of the variables. Schemas were found to mediate the relationship between parental bonding (care and control) and risk of repetition. Further, the schema of Social Alienation was found to mediate the above relationship between parental bonding (care and control) and  risk of repetition. The schema of Defectiveness/Shame was found to mediate the relationship between parental control and risk of repetition. The findings support a 3-stage model for suicidal behaviour.