Attachment anxiety, attachment avoidance, gestational stage and post-loss period as predictors of PTSD symptom severity following miscarriage.

OBJECTIVES: Miscarriage is a common reproductive loss that can have significant psychological consequences, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The present study aimed to examine the association between attachment anxiety, attachment avoidance, post-loss period and gestational stage at pregnancy loss with PTSD symptom severity among women who have experienced miscarriage in Cyprus. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study employing convenience sampling was conducted. A total of 176 women who had experienced a miscarriage completed an online questionnaire. PTSD symptoms were assessed using the Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), while romantic attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance were measured using the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised (ECR-R) questionnaire. Participants also provided demographic information, including gestational stage at miscarriage and post-loss period. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analyses and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to examine predictors of PTSD symptom severity. RESULTS: Attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance were both significantly associated with increased PTSD symptom severity following miscarriage. Women who had experienced a miscarriage within the previous 12 months as well as women who experienced later miscarriage reported significantly higher PTSD symptoms. Multiple regression analysis further demonstrated that attachment anxiety, attachment avoidance, post-loss period and gestational stage independently predicted PTSD symptom severity. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that partner attachment anxiety, attachment avoidance, post-loss period and gestational stage are important factors associated with PTSD symptom severity following miscarriage. These results highlight the importance of early psychological screening and attachment-informed support following miscarriage, particularly within the first year after loss.