PuSH - Publication Server of Helmholtz Zentrum München

Rückert-Eheberg, I.-M. ; Lukaschek, K. ; Brenk-Franz, K.* ; Strauß, B.* ; Gensichen, J.*

Association of adult attachment and suicidal ideation in primary care patients with multiple chronic conditions.

J. Affect. Disord. 246, 121-125 (2019)
Postprint DOI PMC
Open Access Green
Background: Suicidal ideation is a common health concern in primary care. Attachment theory indicates that subjects with higher anxiety and/or avoidance may be more susceptible to suicidal ideation. Therefore, the aim of our study was to examine the association of attachment anxiety, avoidance, and suicidal ideation in middle-aged to elderly, chronically ill primary care patients.Methods: The APRICARE Study comprised 207 patients aged 50-85 years with a minimum of three chronic diseases. Adult attachment, depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation were measured via the self-report questionnaires Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised (ECR-RD12) and Patient Health Questionnaire -9 (PHQ-9). Univariable and adjusted associations of suicidal ideation with ECR-RD12-attachment anxiety, ECR-RD-12-attachment avoidance, and ECR-RD12-insecure adult attachment were examined via logistic regression analyses.Results: Suicidal ideation was present in 13% of all patients. ECR-RD12-anxiety was significantly associated with suicidal ideation (OR=1.88, CI 1.44-2.44), while ECR-RD12-avoidance was not associated. In patients with suicidal ideation, 85% were insecurely attached compared to 63% in those without suicidal ideation - thus the OR for suicidal ideation in insecurely attached patients was 3.33 (CI=1.10-10.04) with securely attached patients as reference. Further variables associated with suicidal ideation were depressive symptomatology, living alone (especially in men) and obesity (especially in women).Limitations: The study was cross-sectional in design, and suicidal ideation was assessed using a single item selfreport measure.Conclusion: General practitioners should be aware of attachment styles in order to have a better chance to identify patients at risk for suicide.
Altmetric
Additional Metrics?
Edit extra informations Login
Publication type Article: Journal article
Document type Scientific Article
Corresponding Author
Keywords Primary Health Care ; Suicidal Ideation ; Insecure Attachment ; Cross-sectional Study; Self; Increase; Augsburg; Obesity; Health; Style; Phq-9; Risk
ISSN (print) / ISBN 0165-0327
e-ISSN 1573-2517
Quellenangaben Volume: 246, Issue: , Pages: 121-125 Article Number: , Supplement: ,
Publisher Elsevier
Publishing Place Po Box 211, 1000 Ae Amsterdam, Netherlands
Non-patent literature Publications
Reviewing status Peer reviewed