JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, cilt.78, sa.2, ss.218-232, 2022 (SSCI)
Objectives The study aims to develop a continuing bonds scale, investigate the relationship between continuing bonds and adjustment after loss, and test the moderating role of meaning reconstruction in this relationship. Methods Data were collected from two different samples of 306 (Study 1) and 271 (Study 2) bereaved adults. Results The four factors structure of the Multidimensional Continuing Bonds Scale (MCBS) was explored and confirmed. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that continuing bonds showed a significant relationship with prolonged grief symptoms after controlling the risk factors such as gender, age of the deceased, time since loss, and cause of death. Meaning reconstruction moderated the relationship between continuing bonds and prolonged grief symptoms. Conclusion The results revealed that the MCBS can be used as a valid and reliable scale to assess the continuing bonds construct. The relationship between continuing bonds and prolonged grief symptoms varies according to the levels of meaning reconstruction.