The Relationship Between Adult Attachment and Complicated Grief: A Systematic Review

Attachment insecurity, including attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance, is proposed as a key factor disrupting adaptive recovery following bereavement, resulting in complicated grief. However, findings are inconsistent across studies. This review aimed to synthesise existing research on attachment patterns in adults experiencing complicated grief to better understand this relationship. 22 cross-sectional and longitudinal studies (5149 participants), published between 2003 and 2020, met inclusion criteria. Higher levels of attachment anxiety were consistently associated with symptoms of complicated grief. Higher levels of attachment avoidance were associated with symptoms of complicated grief, although this relationship was less consistent. The review has implications for clinical practice as bereaved adults with insecure attachment histories may be particularly vulnerable to experiencing complicated grief. The research is limited by the reliance on mainly cross-sectional studies. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies, and studies that explore men's experiences, and of individuals living in non-Western countries.

Automated summary

This review aimed to understand the relationship between attachment patterns and complicated grief. The findings revealed a consistent association between higher levels of attachment anxiety and symptoms of complicated grief, while the relationship between higher levels of attachment avoidance and complicated grief was less consistent. Bereaved adults with insecure attachment histories may be more vulnerable to experiencing complicated grief.