KMAN Publication Inc. (KMANPUB) KMAN Counseling & Psychology Nexus 3041-9026 4 Serial Number 6 2026 01 01 Presenting a Structural Model of Prolonged Grief Based on Attachment Styles with the Mediating Role of Cognitive Flexibility in Survivors of the COVID-19 Pandemic Presenting a Structural Model of Prolonged Grief Based on Attachment Styles with the Mediating Role of Cognitive Flexibility in Survivors of the COVID-19 Pandemic 1 10 10.61838/kman.hp.psynexus.4493 EN Journal Article 2025 06 23 <p>The aim of this study was to examine a structural model of prolonged grief disorder based on attachment styles, considering the mediating role of cognitive flexibility, among individuals who lost first-degree relatives during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research employed a correlational design using structural equation modeling. The study population consisted of bereaved survivors in Alborz Province who had lost a first-degree family member due to COVID-19. A total of 420 individuals participated through convenience sampling using online questionnaires, of which 361 valid responses were analyzed. Data were collected between June and December 2024. Instruments included the Prolonged Grief Disorder-13-Revised scale (PG-13-R), the Revised Adult Attachment Scale (RAAS), and the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI). Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, multiple regression, and SEM were used for data analysis. Results showed that anxious and avoidant attachment styles were positively associated with prolonged grief, while secure attachment negatively predicted grief symptoms. Cognitive flexibility demonstrated a significant protective role, negatively predicting prolonged grief. Regression analysis indicated that components of cognitive flexibility (perception of alternatives, perceived controllability, and justification of behavior) accounted for 51% of the variance in grief. Attachment styles together explained 33% of the variance in grief outcomes. Structural equation modeling confirmed the adequacy of the final model with acceptable fit indices (χ²/df = 2.34, CFI = 0.94, TLI = 0.92, RMSEA = 0.059, SRMR = 0.047). Bootstrap analysis further supported the significant mediating role of cognitive flexibility in the relationships between attachment styles and prolonged grief. The study highlights that insecure attachment styles increase vulnerability to prolonged grief, whereas secure attachment and cognitive flexibility serve as protective factors. Cognitive flexibility functions as a mediator, offering a promising target for interventions aimed at reducing prolonged grief among COVID-19 bereaved survivors.</p> https://www.journals.kmanpub.com/index.php/psychnexus/article/download/4493/8208