A Thematic Analysis of Men's Experience With a Partner's Elective Abortion

Coyle, Catherine T.; Rue, Vincent M.

doi:10.1002/cvj.12010

Cited by 8 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…Exclusion criteria were articles not published in English, abstracts, editorials or opinion pieces, discussion or review articles not reporting primary data, and studies using a comparator (e.g., women) that did not present the data pertaining to men separately. Studies were also excluded if they investigated the grief experiences of men who had experienced an elective abortion or termination of pregnancy for viable foetal anomaly, as there is literature to suggest that these types of losses may lead to different psychological outcomes compared to other forms of pregnancy loss [52,53].…”

Section: Study Selectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Men’s grief following pregnancy loss and neonatal loss: a systematic review and emerging theoretical model

Obst

Due

Oxlad

et al. 2020

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

113

104

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Background: Emotional distress following pregnancy loss and neonatal loss is common, with enduring grief occurring for many parents. However, little is known about men's grief, since the majority of existing literature and subsequent bereavement care guidelines have focused on women. To develop a comprehensive understanding of men's grief, this systematic review sought to summarise and appraise the literature focusing on men's grief following pregnancy loss and neonatal loss. Methods: A systematic review was undertaken with searches completed across four databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, and CINAHL). These were guided by two research questions: 1) what are men's experiences of grief following pregnancy/neonatal loss; and 2) what are the predictors of men's grief following pregnancy/neonatal loss? Eligible articles were qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods empirical studies including primary data on men's grief, published between 1998 and October 2018. Eligibility for loss type included miscarriage or stillbirth (by any definition), termination of pregnancy for nonviable foetal anomaly, and neonatal death up to 28 days after a live birth. Results: A final sample of 46 articles were identified, including 26 qualitative, 19 quantitative, and one mixed methods paper. Findings indicate that men's grief experiences are highly varied, and current grief measures may not capture all of the complexities of grief for men. Qualitative studies identified that in comparison to women, men may face different challenges including expectations to support female partners, and a lack of social recognition for their grief and subsequent needs. Men may face double-disenfranchised grief in relation to the pregnancy/neonatal loss experience. Conclusion: There is a need to increase the accessibility of support services for men following pregnancy/neonatal loss, and to provide recognition and validation of their experiences of grief. Cohort studies are required among varied groups of bereaved men to confirm grief-predictor relationships, and to refine an emerging socio-ecological model of men's grief.

show abstract

Section: Study Selectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Men’s grief following pregnancy loss and neonatal loss: a systematic review and emerging theoretical model

Obst

Due

Oxlad

et al. 2020

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

113

104

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Whereas previous explorations of men’s abortion experiences described sentiments of loss, grief, helplessness, and victimization (Coyle and Rue 2015), our interviews with male partners at the time of an abortion provide a broader perspective, recognizing the willingness of some male partners to cede decision-making power to women and find value in the provision of support. Their reformed masculinity accepted traditionally feminine characteristics such as caretaking and affection.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 87%

Negotiating Masculinity in a Women’s Space: Findings from a Qualitative Study of Male Partners Accompanying Women at the Time of Abortion

Newton

Hebert

Nguyen

et al. 2018

Men and Masculinities

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Although women are the focal point of abortion care, a woman’s male partner may accompany her to the abortion appointment. Using Connell’s “hierarchy of masculinities” framework, this study examines how male partners negotiate their identity and role in an unfamiliar setting while their female partners undergo an abortion. Twenty-seven in-depth interviews with male partners of women obtaining abortions at a community-based and a university-based abortion clinic were conducted. The interviews reflected the tension male partners felt while attempting to maintain characteristics of hegemonic masculinity (e.g., dominance, stoicism, ambition, and fatherhood) in an environment where their female partner’s needs were prioritized. Some male partners expressed distress about their inexperience with the process and procedure as well as their inability to participate or better care for their partners. Others negotiated alternative definitions of masculinity, emphasizing a duty and/or desire to provide support during his female partner’s pregnancy decision-making and abortion experience.

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“…Studies were also excluded if they investigated the grief experiences of men who had experienced an elective abortion or termination for viable foetal anomaly, as there is literature to suggest that these types of losses may lead to different psychological outcomes compared to other forms of pregnancy loss [52,53].…”

Section: Study Selectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Men’s grief following pregnancy loss and neonatal loss: A systematic review and emerging theoretical model

Obst

Due

Oxlad

et al. 2019

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background : Emotional distress following pregnancy loss and neonatal loss is common, with enduring grief occurring for many parents. However, little is known about men's grief, since the majority of existing literature and subsequent bereavement care guidelines have focused on women. To develop a comprehensive understanding of men's grief, this systematic review sought to summarise and appraise the literature focusing on men's grief following pregnancy loss and neonatal loss. Methods :A systematic review was undertaken with searches completed across four databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, and CINAHL). These were guided by two research questions: 1) what are men's experiences of grief following pregnancy/neonatal loss; and 2) what are the predictors of men's grief following pregnancy/neonatal loss? Eligible articles were qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods empirical studies including primary data on men's grief, published between 1998 and October 2018.Eligibility for loss type included miscarriage or stillbirth (by any definition), termination of pregnancy for nonviable foetal anomaly, and neonatal death up to 28 days after a live birth. Results : A final sample of 46 articles were identified, including 26 qualitative, 19 quantitative, and one mixed methods paper. Findings indicate that men's grief experiences are highly varied, and current grief measures may not capture all of the complexities of grief for men. Qualitative studies identified that in comparison to women, men may face different challenges including expectations to support female partners, and a lack of social recognition for their grief and subsequent needs. Men may face doubledisenfranchised grief in relation to the pregnancy/neonatal loss experience. Conclusion : There is a need to increase the accessibility of support services for men following pregnancy/neonatal loss, and to provide recognition and validation of their experiences of grief. Cohort studies are required among varied groups of bereaved men to confirm grief-predictor relationships, and to refine an emerging socio-ecological model of men's grief.

show abstract

A Thematic Analysis of Men's Experience With a Partner's Elective Abortion

Cited by 8 publications

References 41 publications

Men’s grief following pregnancy loss and neonatal loss: a systematic review and emerging theoretical model

Men’s grief following pregnancy loss and neonatal loss: a systematic review and emerging theoretical model

Negotiating Masculinity in a Women’s Space: Findings from a Qualitative Study of Male Partners Accompanying Women at the Time of Abortion

Men’s grief following pregnancy loss and neonatal loss: A systematic review and emerging theoretical model

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