ebooks logo journals logo reference works logo abstract databases logo
bullet  SIGN IN Register | Why Register? | Got a Voucher? alerts   marked lists   shopping cart 

informaworld

HOME   |   SEARCH   |   BROWSE
    Issues List       Latest Issue       Volume 7 Issue 2       Subscribe       Article       References       Cited By       Related articles      
<< firstfirst   < prevprev   Table of contentstoc   next >next   last >>last
Publisher Logo Publication Cover
Search within this journal

ATTACHMENT STYLE AND BEREAVEMENT REACTIONS 

Authors: Heidi A. Wayment; Jennifer Vierthaler
DOI: 10.1080/153250202753472291
Publication Frequency: 6 issues per year
Published in: journal Journal of Loss and Trauma, Volume 7, Issue 2 April 2002 , pages 129 - 149
Number of References: 57
Formats available: PDF (English)
Previously published as: Journal of Personal and Interpersonal Loss (1081-1443)
Also incorporating: Stress, Trauma, and Crisis
Article Requests: Order Reprints : Request Permissions
View Article: View Article (PDF) View Article (PDF)


Abstract

This study explored specific associations between global attachment styles (e.g., secure, anxiousambivalent, avoidant),attachment to the deceased, suddenness of death, and three specific reactions to bereavement (grief, depression, and somatization) in a sample of 91 adults (21 men, 70 women) who had lost a loved one in the past 18 months. A path model on cross-sectional data (obtained after the bereavement) examined several specific predictions, controlling for background variables such as gender, age, and education of the respondents, age of the deceased, time since the death, and social desirability responding. As predicted, individuals who reported having a closer attachment to the deceased and had a more sudden loss reported greater levels of grief. Individuals with an anxious-ambivalent attachment style reported greater levels of grief and depression. Somatization was more likely to be reported by those with an avoidant attachment style. Although not predicted, we also found that individuals with a secure attachment style reported less depression. Social desirability responding was associated with reports of more grief. A greater time since the death and less education were associated with less depression, and older respondents reported less somatization. Discussion focuses on the importance of distinguishing grief, depression, and somatization following bereavement in order to better predict and identify individuals at risk for adverse bereavement reactions. In the context of the study 'slimitations (cross-sectional design and issues of generalizability), the potential utility attachment style may provide in identifying maladaptive reactions following the loss of a loved one is also discussed.
view references (57) : view citations
Bookmark with:
  • CiteULike
  • Del.icio.us
  • BibSonomy
  • Connotea
  • More bookmarks
Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Accessibility | RSS
FAQs in: English . Français . Español . 中文(简体和繁體)
© 2010 Informa plc