What does attachment theory say about suicidal behavior? Brief overview of modern research

This narrative review presents data, mainly from foreign studies in recent years, on the role of insecure attachment types in the development of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Factors influencing the development of so-called “unsafe internal working models” (according to J. Bowlby), which increase the risk of a suicide attempt, are formulated and brought together. Currently known mediator factors are listed, namely cognitive, behavioral and personality characteristics that mediate the relationship between insecure attachment types and suicidal intentions. The data presented are taken from major international scientific repositories (ScienceDirect, Re-searchGate, CORE), mainly for the period from 2000 to 2023. Data on the role of attachment patterns are in good agreement with the interpersonal model of suicide, neurobiological studies and can be used as targets in psychotherapy of suicidal behavior.