Welcome to the 21st WCP Virtual Congress Program Scheduling

Abstract Body

Experiencing a secure attachment with a primary caregiver is a major tenet of the development of a representation of self as a valued and competent individual. In contrast, an insecure attachment with the caregiver plays a major role in the development of representations characterized by mistrust, anger, anxiety, and /or fear. The key task of adolescence is to develop autonomy. At first glance, adolescents often appear to be engaged in an active, purposeful flight away from attachment relationships with parents and other parental attachment figures, together with an increased exploratory behavior. It turns out that autonomy-seeking behavior is most easily established in the background of secure relationships with parents. In this presentation, links will be made between maladaptive adolescent's behaviors and insecurity of attachment relationship. More specifically, we will explore the link between attachment security and suicidality. Within the topic of suicidality, I will make a fundamental distinction between the wish to suicide and the wish to die and I will introduce the concept of the fourth organizer during adolescence, being the choice between life and death.