Start Date
23-4-2026 12:00 AM
Description
Experiencing perinatal loss is a singular type of grief that can profoundly affect someone’s thoughts, feelings, connections with others, and sense of faith (Brier, 2008). However, research on attachment processes related to adjustment after perinatal loss is sparse. The parent study from which the data for the current project were taken aimed to assess the psychological, interpersonal, and religious correlates associated with perinatal loss in adults who suffered miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss in the past three years. The current secondary study focuses on attachment-related measures and their relationships with posttraumatic growth and stress symptoms. Participants were recruited using Prolific, an online recruitment platform, and completed an online survey which included the Attachment to God Inventory (AGI) and the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised (ECR-R), assessing attachment anxiety and avoidance in both spiritual and romantic domains. Data are collected and analysis is currently in progress. This research will expand current understanding of attachment systems after perinatal loss to inform clinical assessment, spiritual care, and trauma-informed care of grieving parents.
Research Highlights
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The Problem: This study investigates how attachment dimensions (anxiety and avoidance) regarding God and romantic partners relate to posttraumatic growth (PTG) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in adults following perinatal loss.
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The Method: Researchers surveyed 190 adults recruited through Prolific, aged 18–45 (M=32.83), who experienced a miscarriage, stillbirth, or medically indicated termination within the past four years using the PTG Inventory, PTSD Checklist, Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised (ECR-R), and the Attachment to God Inventory (AGI).
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Quantitative Finding: AGI anxiety (r=.350, p<.001), ECR-R anxiety (r=.548, p<.001), and ECR-R avoidance (r=.201, p<.001) were significantly positively related to PTSD symptoms; AGI avoidance (r=-.340, p<.001), ECR-R anxiety (r=-.261, p<.001), and ECR-R avoidance (r=-.212, p=.003) were significantly negatively related to PTG; belief in personhood correlated with lower AGI avoidance (r=-.41, p<.001), higher AGI anxiety (r=.15, p=.041), and higher PTG (r=.23, p=.002); gestational age correlated with ECR-R avoidance (r=.16, p=.032).
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Qualitative Finding: Attachment anxiety toward both God and partners is the most consistent predictor of higher PTSD symptoms, whereas attachment avoidance toward God is the strongest factor relating to lower posttraumatic growth.
Recommended Citation
McConachie, Alicia, "Understanding Attachment to God and Close Relationships After Perinatal Loss" (2026). 2026 Student Academic Showcase. 37.
https://digitalcommons.lindenwood.edu/src_2026/Posters/1/37
Included in
Understanding Attachment to God and Close Relationships After Perinatal Loss
Experiencing perinatal loss is a singular type of grief that can profoundly affect someone’s thoughts, feelings, connections with others, and sense of faith (Brier, 2008). However, research on attachment processes related to adjustment after perinatal loss is sparse. The parent study from which the data for the current project were taken aimed to assess the psychological, interpersonal, and religious correlates associated with perinatal loss in adults who suffered miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss in the past three years. The current secondary study focuses on attachment-related measures and their relationships with posttraumatic growth and stress symptoms. Participants were recruited using Prolific, an online recruitment platform, and completed an online survey which included the Attachment to God Inventory (AGI) and the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised (ECR-R), assessing attachment anxiety and avoidance in both spiritual and romantic domains. Data are collected and analysis is currently in progress. This research will expand current understanding of attachment systems after perinatal loss to inform clinical assessment, spiritual care, and trauma-informed care of grieving parents.