Investigation of the relationship between continuing bonds and adjustment after the death of a first‐degree family member by using the Multidimensional Continuing Bonds Scale

Abstract

Objectives The study aims to develop a continuing bonds scale, investigate the relationship between continuing bonds and adjustment after loss, and test the moderating role of meaning reconstruction in this relationship. Methods Data were collected from two different samples of 306 (Study 1) and 271 (Study 2) bereaved adults. Results The four factors structure of the Multidimensional Continuing Bonds Scale (MCBS) was explored and confirmed. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that continuing bonds showed a significant relationship with prolonged grief symptoms after controlling the risk factors such as gender, age of the deceased, time since loss, and cause of death. Meaning reconstruction moderated the relationship between continuing bonds and prolonged grief symptoms. Conclusion The results revealed that the MCBS can be used as a valid and reliable scale to assess the continuing bonds construct. The relationship between continuing bonds and prolonged grief symptoms varies according to the levels of meaning reconstruction.

Associations Between the Cause of Loved One’s Death, Mourner’s Psychological Distress and Ongoing Relationship With the Deceased, and Mourner’s Posttraumatic Growth

“…It is possible that the death of a family member in a traffic accident (often perceived as a preventable death) elevates adverse emotions in the mourners which reframe the memories of the pre-death relationship (Levi-Belz, 2017). Moreover, as in previous research (Keser & Işıklı, 2021), the study findings emphasize the importance of active relational grieving, as it was found to be associated with psychological distress for all of the mourner groups.…”

Continuidad de vínculos, hombres y mujeres en duelo por un ser querido: un análisis secundario

“…Tanto la CV interna como la CV externa han sido sugeridas como predictores de mayor intensidad en el duelo, pero sería delicado pronosticar el oficio de la CV en el proceso de duelo ya que la vehemencia de la experiencia podría relatar la relación existente antes de la muerte, desencadenando un esfuerzo mayor por mantenerla 23 . Pese a ello, se han evidenciado correlaciones positivas de CV con duelo complicado, y de CV con crecimiento personal tanto en hombres como en mujeres 4,24 .…”