Perinatal Loss and Parents' Grief Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Method Research
- PMID: 38667135
- PMCID: PMC11047657
- DOI: 10.3390/bs14040339
Perinatal Loss and Parents' Grief Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Method Research
Abstract
Losing a child is a traumatic event, disrupting life's natural cycle, profoundly affecting the family system, and causing enduring grief. Perinatal death, including ectopic pregnancies, miscarriages, stillbirths, and neonatal deaths, exacerbates this distress. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged healthcare systems and supporting services available to individuals in need. Thus, this research explores experiences of parents facing perinatal loss in 2020-2021, further focusing on the pandemic's impact. Using a mixed-methods design with self-reports and qualitative interviews, this paper presents results from the quantitative protocol, involving an update and follow-up of a previous study. It compares measurements across scales: COVID-19: The Impact of Event Scale-Revised; The Prolonged Grief-13; The Parental Assessment of Paternal/Maternal Affectivity; The Dyadic Adjustment Scale (short version); The Daily Spiritual Experiences Scale; and The Inventory of Complicated Spiritual Grief. In the baseline measurement, 45 parents participated (37 mothers and 8 fathers), with 20 (13 mothers and 7 fathers) contributing to the follow-up and 9 engaging in interviews. Baseline results showed higher scores for mothers compared to fathers, with effect sizes ranging from small to medium (ranging from -0.02 to 0.29), though statistical significance was limited due to the small sample size. Multiple regression analysis for distress measures at baseline identified two significant predictors: maternal/paternal affectivity and gestational week. Additionally, positive support from healthcare professionals emerged as a mitigating factor, particularly in relation to Avoidance. A significant reduction in stress measures and parental affectivity was observed at the 6-month follow-up. Qualitative analysis revealed three themes: Shifts in Self-Perception and Post-Loss Growth; Conflicted Relationship with One's Body; and Negative Impact of COVID-19 vs. Unexpectedly Positive Aspects. In conclusion, the findings emphasize the significance of psychological and psychosocial interventions based on meaning-making processes, along with the importance of spiritual care and empowerment for those navigating perinatal loss.
Keywords: COVID-19; grief and bereavement; parents; perinatal death; perinatal loss.
Conflict of interest statement
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Similar articles
-
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on perinatal loss among Italian couples: A mixed-method study.Front Psychol. 2022 Sep 12;13:929350. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.929350. eCollection 2022. Front Psychol. 2022. PMID: 36172232 Free PMC article.
-
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Perinatal Loss Experienced by the Parental Couple: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study.JMIR Res Protoc. 2022 Sep 12;11(9):e38866. doi: 10.2196/38866. JMIR Res Protoc. 2022. PMID: 36044641 Free PMC article.
-
Preliminary findings on the experiences of care for parents who suffered perinatal bereavement during the COVID-19 pandemic.BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2021 Dec 22;21(1):840. doi: 10.1186/s12884-021-04292-5. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2021. PMID: 34937548 Free PMC article.
-
Parents experiences of pregnancy following perinatal loss: An integrative review.Midwifery. 2023 Jun;121:103673. doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2023.103673. Epub 2023 Mar 30. Midwifery. 2023. PMID: 37037073 Review.
-
From grief, guilt pain and stigma to hope and pride - a systematic review and meta-analysis of mixed-method research of the psychosocial impact of stillbirth.BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2016 Jan 19;16:9. doi: 10.1186/s12884-016-0800-8. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2016. PMID: 26785915 Free PMC article. Review.
References
-
- Kłos-Skrzypczak A. The Impact of the Loss of a Child in the Prenatal Period on Marital and Family Life and the Religiosity of Women after Miscarriage. Religions. 2023;14:1434. doi: 10.3390/rel14111434. - DOI
-
- Testoni I., Bregoli J., Pompele S., Maccarini A. Social support in perinatal grief and mothers’ continuing bonds: A qualitative study with Italian mourners. Affilia. 2020;35:485–502. doi: 10.1177/0886109920906784. - DOI
Grants and funding
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources