LAUSR

OBJECTIVES The aim of this systematic review is to generate a qualitative synthesis of psychosocial theories being used to explain the beliefs and behaviors of people responding to loss of anatomical parts, such as breasts, limbs, or teeth. DATA & SOURCES A search in four databases and subsequent manual search of pertinent reference lists identified theories on how people respond to loss of anatomical parts. Findings were analyzed by consensus through a three-stage interpretive process to: deconstruct and interpret each theory, categorize similar theoretical constructs, and distill the dominant theoretical perspectives identified as most relevant to explaining responses to the loss. STUDY SELECTION 2540 citations produced 288 articles referring to 89 primary theories containing 586 constructs. Through synthesis of seven construct categories a metatheory with essential contributions from theories on communications, developmental regulation, emotions, resources, and social cognition can explain responses to loss. CONCLUSIONS This qualitative synthesis provides a conceptual foundation for further investigations to explain how people manage loss of anatomical parts. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE The combination of five dominant theories serves as a prelude to the development of a metatheory, which will further help determine how people psychosocially respond to the loss of anatomical parts.