The Role of Collectivism in the Relationship Between Attachment and Grief: A Cross-Cultural Comparison Between Spain, Iran and Ghana

Abstract

Prior research has shown that attachment plays an important role on grief intensity when a person loses a loved one. However, little has been researched on how culture and, more concretely collectivism, may have an impact on the relationship between attachment and grief. Therefore, this study investigated the relationship between collectivism and attachment anxiety as well as the possible moderating role of collectivism on the relationship between insecurity of attachment and grief. A total sample of 353 participants from Spain, Iran and Ghana answered an online questionnaire. Results of the study showed that participants from an individualistic country (Spain) scored significantly lower on attachment anxiety when compared to participants from collectivistic countries (Iran and Ghana). Results also showed a relationship between attachment anxiety and grief intensity. However, contrary of what expected, collectivism did not moderate the relationship between attachment and grief intensity. Results are discussed in terms of possible differential effects of attachment on grieving as well as different patterns of grieving when comparing collectivistic versus individualistic cultures.