Abstract
The aim of the present research was to study the interplay of Attachment Theory and the Two-Track Model of Dementia Grief. To examine the research hypotheses, a cross-sectional study was designed and included 122 participants (Mean age = 72.77) drawn from four groups: spouses of people living with mild to moderate cognitive impairment, spouses of people living with advanced cognitive impairment, widowed spouses of deceased dementia patients, and a control group. Participants completed a battery of self-report questionnaires. Results showed that secure attachment constitutes a significant protective factor with regard to bio-psycho-social symptomatology (Track I) as well as difficulties in the relational bond with the spouse and grief over their deterioration (Track II). The results of the research support integrating attachment-based insights into clinical work with spouses coping with the losses accompanying cognitive decline and the grief processes that are operant in these losses.
Original language | English |
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Number of pages | 26 |
Journal | Omega: Journal of Death and Dying |
Volume | 91 |
Issue number | 2 |
Early online date | 25 Nov 2022 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 2025 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© The Author(s) 2022.
Keywords
- attachment
- bereavement
- dementia
- grief
- loss
- two-track model
- Cognitive Dysfunction/psychology
- Grief
- Object Attachment
- Spouses/psychology
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Humans
- Middle Aged
- Male
- Widowhood/psychology
- Aged, 80 and over
- Female
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- Aged
- Dementia/psychology
- Adaptation, Psychological
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Health(social science)
- Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine
- Life-span and Life-course Studies