Reflective functioning mediates the relationship between insecure adult attachment and the severity of prolonged grief symptoms

# 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. # Meth...

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Main Authors: Serena Giunta, Giuseppe Mannino, Lucia Sideli, Maria C. Quattropani, Vittorio Lenzo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Open Medical Publishing 2024-09-01
Series:Health Psychology Research
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.52965/001c.122543
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author Serena Giunta
Giuseppe Mannino
Lucia Sideli
Maria C. Quattropani
Vittorio Lenzo
author_facet Serena Giunta
Giuseppe Mannino
Lucia Sideli
Maria C. Quattropani
Vittorio Lenzo
author_sort Serena Giunta
collection DOAJ
description # 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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spelling doaj-art-ba7a67bcaed94ec1a7cc28528d5018022025-02-11T20:30:42ZengOpen Medical PublishingHealth Psychology Research2420-81242024-09-0112Reflective functioning mediates the relationship between insecure adult attachment and the severity of prolonged grief symptomsSerena GiuntaGiuseppe ManninoLucia SideliMaria C. QuattropaniVittorio Lenzo# 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.https://doi.org/10.52965/001c.122543
spellingShingle Serena Giunta
Giuseppe Mannino
Lucia Sideli
Maria C. Quattropani
Vittorio Lenzo
Reflective functioning mediates the relationship between insecure adult attachment and the severity of prolonged grief symptoms
Health Psychology Research
title Reflective functioning mediates the relationship between insecure adult attachment and the severity of prolonged grief symptoms
title_full Reflective functioning mediates the relationship between insecure adult attachment and the severity of prolonged grief symptoms
title_fullStr Reflective functioning mediates the relationship between insecure adult attachment and the severity of prolonged grief symptoms
title_full_unstemmed Reflective functioning mediates the relationship between insecure adult attachment and the severity of prolonged grief symptoms
title_short Reflective functioning mediates the relationship between insecure adult attachment and the severity of prolonged grief symptoms
title_sort reflective functioning mediates the relationship between insecure adult attachment and the severity of prolonged grief symptoms
url https://doi.org/10.52965/001c.122543
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