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Related Experiment Videos

Unresolved grief and continuing bonds: an attachment perspective.

Nigel P Field1

  • 1Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, 935 East Meadow Dr., Palo Alto, CA 95006, USA. nfield@pgsp.edu

Death Studies
|September 16, 2006
PubMed
Summary

This study explores when continuing bonds (CB) with the deceased may be maladaptive, not just adaptive. It links unresolved loss indicators to maladaptive CB expressions, offering insights for clinical practice.

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Psychiatry
  • Bereavement Studies

Background:

  • Contemporary bereavement literature often emphasizes the adaptive nature of continuing bonds (CB) with the deceased.
  • Limited attention has been given to the conditions under which CB may become maladaptive.
  • Attachment theory offers insights into maladaptive grief, particularly unresolved loss.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the linkage between unresolved loss indicators and maladaptive continuing bond expressions.
  • To highlight the value of attachment literature in understanding maladaptive CB.
  • To clarify conditions under which CB may be detrimental following loss.

Main Methods:

  • Review of contemporary bereavement literature.
  • Analysis of attachment literature on disorganized-unresolved attachment and loss.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Integration of clinical writings by J. Bowlby and V. D. Volkan on maladaptive CB.

    • Main Results:

    • A prominent indicator of unresolved loss involves lapses in reasoning, suggesting disbelief in the death.
    • This indicator is linked to maladaptive variants of continuing bond expression.
    • Attachment theory provides a framework for understanding these maladaptive patterns.

    Conclusions:

    • Unresolved loss, particularly disbelief, is a key factor in maladaptive continuing bonds.
    • Attachment theory is crucial for identifying and understanding maladaptive CB.
    • Recognizing these conditions can inform clinical interventions in bereavement.