Investigation of the relationship between continuing bonds and adjustment after the death of a first‐degree family member by using the Multidimensional Continuing Bonds Scale.

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]