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Impaired emotional regulation in the elderly men following female partner loss

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 June 2026

Bernadetta Janusz Open the ORCID record for Bernadetta Janusz [Opens in a new window] ,
Rafał Sikorski Open the ORCID record for Rafał Sikorski [Opens in a new window]  and
Emilia J. Sitek Open the ORCID record for Emilia J. Sitek [Opens in a new window]
Bernadetta Janusz
Affiliation:
Uniwersytet Jagiellonski Collegium Medicum, Chair of Psychiatry, Ambulatory of Psychology and Systemic Therapy, Kraków, Poland bernadetta.janusz@uj.edu.pl
Rafał Sikorski
Affiliation:
Medical University of Gdansk, Faculty of Health Sciences, Division of Neurological and Psychiatric Nursing, Laboratory of Clinical Neuropsychology, Neurolinguistics and Neuropsychotherapy, Gdańsk, Poland Department of Rehabilitation, Saint Vincent a Paulo Hospital, Pomeranian Hospitals Ltd., Gdynia, Poland rafal.sikorski@gumed.edu.pl
Emilia J. Sitek*
Affiliation:
Medical University of Gdansk, Faculty of Health Sciences, Division of Neurological and Psychiatric Nursing, Laboratory of Clinical Neuropsychology, Neurolinguistics and Neuropsychotherapy, Gdańsk, Poland Department of Neurology, St. Adalbert Hospital, Copernicus PL Ltd., Gdańsk, Poland emilia.sitek@gumed.edu.pl
*
*Corresponding author.
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Abstract

Increased vulnerability in elderly men to their partner’s loss by death, and also due to dementia, is discussed through the lens of attachment theory. This vulnerability stems from compromised emotional regulation, reward processing, and limited social support. For this reason, dementia-related ambiguous loss is particularly challenging for them because it requires complex emotional adjustment, adding to caregiving and household duties.

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Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 49 , 2026 , e104
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2026. Published by Cambridge University Press

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