Grief and Attachment Personality Prototype

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between the Big Five personality traits and grief outcomes among adults who experienced the loss of a loved one. Grounded in attachment theory, the research explored how individual personality differences influence the intensity of prolonged grief symptoms. A quantitative correlational design was used, and data were collected from 67 adults aged 18 years and older who had lost a loved one at least 12 months earlier. Participants completed an online survey that included the Big Five Inventory and the Prolonged Grief Scale-Revised (PG-13-R). Reliability, correlation, and multiple regression analyses were conducted using SPSS version 26. Results indicated that extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness were negatively associated with prolonged grief, whereas higher neuroticism was positively and significantly related. Regression analysis identified higher neuroticism as the only significant predictor of prolonged grief, explaining 34.5% of the variance in PG-13-R scores. These findings suggest that individuals high in neuroticism are more vulnerable to maladaptive grief responses, while those higher in extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness may exhibit greater resilience. The results highlight the clinical importance of considering personality factors in grief assessment and intervention planning, particularly in identifying individuals at risk for prolonged grief disorder.