Do attachment-related differences in reflective functioning explain associations between expressed emotion and youth self-harm?

ABSTRACT: Youth self-harm is associated with poor health outcomes and attempted and completed suicide. Associations exist between self-harm and expressed emotion (EE), attachment insecurity, and reflective functioning (RF), but these associations are poorly understood. This study evaluates a mediation model in which perceived caregiver EE (pEE) exerts an indirect effect on youth self-harm through attachment insecurity and RF uncertainty. 461 participants aged 16-24 years completed an online survey. Statistical analyses revealed significant direct effects of pEE on attachment insecurity, and of RF uncertainty on self-harm; however, some direct effects were specific to pEE from female caregivers, and attachment insecurity in youth relationships with female caregivers. A significant direct effect of pE

SUBMITTER: Kennedy-Turner J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9411045 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature