The Relationship Between Parental Attachment and Suicidal Ideation among Junior High School Students: The Mediating Role of Negative Emotion and the Moderating Role of Gender

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between parental attachment and suicidal ideation in junior high school students, and to explore the role of negative emotions and gender in the relationship between the two. Using the Parental Attachment Scale, the Self-Rating Scale of Suicidal Ideation and the Negative Emotion Scale, a questionnaire survey was conducted among 1906 junior high school students. The results showed that the detection rate of suicidal ideation among junior high school students was 16.37%. The detection rates of suicidal ideation in boys and girls were 14.22% and 18.38%, respectively. There were no significant gender differences in father attachment and mother attachment among junior high school students. However, there were significant gender differences in negative emotions and suicidal ideation. Paternal attachment and maternal attachment were negatively correlated with negative emotions and suicidal ideation. Negative emotions were positively correlated with suicidal ideation. Negative emotions played a partial mediating role between parental attachment and suicidal ideation. Gender moderates the mediating effect of negative emotions. In conclusion, father attachment and mother attachment are related to suicidal ideation in junior high school students. Alleviating the negative emotions of junior high school students, especially girls, can reduce the generation of suicidal ideation.