Attachment security and continuing bonds: The mediating role of meaning-made in bereavement
Abstract
Attachment security plays an important function in the grieving process. This study aimed to explore how individual differences in attachment security and meaning-made predict continuing bonds expression among bereaved adults (n = 237) using a moderated mediation model. Results of multiple regression analysis revealed an indirect effect of meaning-made on the negative relationship between attachment avoidance and continuing bonds. Results suggest that loss may be less disruptive to the meaning system of avoidant individuals and, therefore, avoidant individuals may express continuing bonds to a lesser extent. Findings implicate bereavement adjustment and grief-related interventions tailored to individual differences in attachment.
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The meaning reconstruction model focuses on the crucial role of meaning-making in recovery and posttraumatic growth after the death of a significant person.
“This model focuses on the crucial role of meaning-making in recovery and posttraumatic growth after the death of a significant person (69, 88–90).”
From Ayahuasca-assisted meaning reconstruction therapy for grief: a non-randomized clinical trial protocol (2025) · cites this paper as [89]
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Sabucedo, P., Andión, O., Neimeyer, R. A., Soto-Angona, O., Javkin, J., Haro, J. M., Farré, M., & González, D. (2025) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1484736 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
- Authors
- Tidwell, B. L., Larson, E. D., & Bentley, J. A.
- Affiliations
- Seattle Pacific University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Tidwell, Brandy L.
- ORCID
- Bentley, Jacob A.
- Venue
- Journal of Loss and Trauma
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2020-04-17
- Volume
- 26
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 116-133
- ISSN
- 1532-5024 (ISSN-L)
- 1532-5032
- OpenAlex
- W3016333730
- Cited by
- 15
- References
- 25
- Citations by year
- 2025: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 1
- FWCI
- 0.99
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Loss and Trauma (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health
- Social Sciences › Anthropology › Death, Funerary Practices, and Mourning
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
- Keywords
- attachment security, attachment avoidance, continuing bonds, bereavement, grief, bereavement adjustment, moderated mediation
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