Fractured Bonds and Lingering Wounds: Attachment Anxiety as a Predictor of Suicidal Ideation following Long-Term Relationship Dissolution

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between attachment anxiety and suicidal ideation following long-term relationship dissolution among Pakistani university students, with a focus on gender differences and the sociocultural context of collectivism. Grounded in attachment theory, the research tested four hypotheses regarding the predictive role of attachment anxiety in suicidality. Descriptive statistics indicated elevated mean levels of attachment anxiety (M = 119.56, SD = 42.63) and moderate suicidal ideation (M = 28.08, SD = 9.27). Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive association between attachment anxiety and suicidal ideation, r(153) = .273, p = .001, while regression analysis demonstrated that attachment anxiety significantly predicted suicidal ideation, accounting for 7.4% of the variance. Gender-specific analyses revealed that the association was significant among females but not among males, despite comparable effect sizes.

These findings confirm that attachment anxiety is a significant predictor of suicidal ideation in the aftermath of relational dissolution, particularly within Pakistan’s collectivist context. The study highlights the interplay between psychological vulnerabilities and sociocultural pressures, emphasizing the need for culturally sensitive interventions.