An expression for " linking something that has happened to a particular reason or circumtance"?
Solution 1:
Considering that some (not necessarily unfortunate) occurrence happened due to something is ascribing the occurrence to something.
The coach consoled his team by ascribing the loss to their lack of experience.
ODO:
ascribe
VERB [WITH OBJECT]
(ascribe something to)
1 Regard something as being due to (a cause)‘he ascribed Jane's short temper to her upset stomach’
‘The AP obituary says it was lung cancer and ascribes the disease to his smoking history, both of which I think are incorrect.’