An attachment perspective on loss and grief
Abstract
Attachment theory provides a useful framework for understanding emotional reactions to separation and loss and the process of adapting to these painful events. In this article, we review adult attachment studies that have examined emotional reactions and adjustment to separation and loss in romantic and marital relationships. We begin with a brief account of attachment theory. Next, we review studies examining the emotional consequences of losing a relationship partner and the coping responses that can help a person adjust to this loss. Throughout the article, we also summarize research documenting attachment-related individual differences in responses to separation and loss. (99 words).
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- Authors
- Mikulincer, M., & Shaver, P. R.
- Affiliations
- Reichman University (IL)
- University of California, Davis (US)
- Corresponding author
- Mikulincer, Mario
- Shaver, Phillip R.
- Venue
- Current Opinion in Psychology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2022-06
- Volume
- 45
- Pages
- 101283
- ISSN
- 2352-250X (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W3215638742
- Cited by
- 47
- References
- 46
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 20 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 1
- FWCI
- 0.78
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- Locations
- Current Opinion in Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion
- Keywords
- attachment theory, loss, grief, separation, romantic relationships, marital relationships, coping, adaptation to loss, individual differences, emotional responses
- MeSH terms
- Adaptation, Psychological, Adult, Bereavement, Divorce, Grief, Humans
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