Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 14, 2025

Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Hyperscanning Study in Psychological Counseling
Published on: January 17, 2025
Reflective functioning mediates the relationship between insecure adult attachment and the severity of prolonged
Serena Giunta1, Giuseppe Mannino1, Lucia Sideli2
1Department of Law Economics and Communication LUMSA Santa Silvia University.
Background:
This study aimed to investigate the mediation role of reflective functioning (i.e., certainty and uncertainty about mental states) in the relationship between insecure attachment (i.e., attachment avoidance and attachment anxiety ) and the severity of prolonged grief symptoms.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted with 329 bereaved participants (51.7% females, mean age= 46.94 ± 14.62 years). Participants completed the Prolonged Grief Scale (PG-13), the Attachment Style Questionnaire (ASQ), and the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ). Demographic and bereavement-related information were also collected.
Results:
Certainty about mental states fully mediated the relationship between both the attachment avoidance and attachement anxiety and severity of prolonged grief symptoms.
Conclusions:
The findings of this study indicate that reflective functioning impairment, specifically certainty about mental states of self and others, mediate the paths from insecure attachment to prolonged grief symptoms. This suggests that improving reflective functioning may contribute to the treatment bereaved individuals at risk of PGD.
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