Coping With Grief After Involuntary Pregnancy Loss: Perspectives of African American Women

Van, Paulina; Meleis, Afaf Ibrahim

doi:10.1177/0884217502239798

Cited by 83 publications

(105 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…In our study, 14.5% had a healing response at 1 week, and 47% were in the healing range by 6 weeks. Perhaps, it was women's personal resources such as emotional strength (Swanson, 2000) or having a coping repertoire born of prior life experiences (Van & Meleis, 2003) that influenced their resolution. Likewise, the presence of environmental resources such as the presence of a caring mate and the support of friends and family (Conway & Russell, 2000;Swanson, 2000;Toedter et al) may have contributed to emotional healing.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Contexts and evolution of women's responses to miscarriage during the first year after loss

Swanson¹,

Connor²,

Jolley³

et al. 2007

Research in Nursing & Health

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Descriptions of 85 women's feelings about miscarriage at 1, 6, 16, and 52 weeks were inductively coded, rank-ordered, and clustered into 3 responses: healing, actively grieving, and overwhelmed. Women who were actively grieving or overwhelmed at 1 week experienced significantly less distress from 6 weeks on. Responses at 1 week differed with regards to those who had a history of perinatal loss or went on to experience negative life events or sexual distance after loss. One year responses differed based on who was pregnant or gave birth, miscarried again, lived through a higher number of post-loss negative life events, or experienced interpersonal or sexual distance from their mate. Responses were not influenced by gestational age at loss or having other children. ß

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Contexts and evolution of women's responses to miscarriage during the first year after loss

Swanson¹,

Connor²,

Jolley³

et al. 2007

Research in Nursing & Health

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“…36 Several other qualitative studies report African American women often find a spiritual solace in both church affiliation and personal prayer as well as informal social support among family and friends to help cope with perinatal loss. 32,37,38 Similarly, the unexpected finding that bereaved pregnant women were significantly less likely to screen positive for depression and PTSD might be explained by using the dual process model of bereavement which recognizes that a crucial aspect of recovering from loss is actively restoring prior functioning, such as planning a subsequent pregnancy, and not solely resolving grief. 39 Finally, support networks, a major ingredient of resilience, were found to be significantly associated with less depression and PTSD.…”

Section: Main Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Depression and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms After Perinatal Loss in a Population-Based Sample

Gold

Leon

Boggs

et al. 2016

Journal of Women's Health

114

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Introduction: Perinatal loss is often a traumatic outcome for families. While there are limited data about depressive outcomes in small populations, information about depression and posttraumatic stress disorder among large racially and economically diverse populations is sparse. Methods: We collaborated with the Michigan Department of Community Health to conduct a longitudinal survey of bereaved mothers with stillbirth or infant death under 28 days of life and live-birth (control) mothers in Michigan. The study assessed 9-month mental health outcomes including self-reported symptoms of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder along with information about demographics, pregnancy and loss experience, social support, and past and present mental health and treatment. Results: Of 1400 women contacted by the State of Michigan, 609 completed surveys and were eligible to participate for a 44% response rate (377 bereaved mothers and 232 control mothers with live births). In multivariable analysis, bereaved women had nearly 4-fold higher odds of having a positive screen for depression and 7-fold higher odds of a positive screen for post-traumatic stress disorder after controlling for demographic and personal risk variables. A minority of screen-positive women were receiving any type of psychiatric treatment. Conclusion: This is the largest epidemiologically based study to date to measure the psychological impact of perinatal loss. Nine months after a loss, bereaved women showed high levels of distress with limited rates of treatment. Symptoms need to be monitored over time for persisting disorder and further research should identify women at highest risk for poor outcomes.

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“…Spirituality plays a central role and powerfully influences virtually all aspects of the lives of many African-American women (Mattis, 2000). It is a resource from which African-American women draw personal strength and a fundamental foundation of their decision-making and behavior (Banks-Wallace & Parks, 2004; Newlin et al; Van & Meleis, 2003).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychometric characteristics of the spiritual perspective scale in pregnant African‐American women

Dailey

Stewart

2007

Research in Nursing & Health

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In health disparities research, studying the vulnerabilities of African Americans should be balanced by research on resources and strengths that influence health. One resource is spirituality, yet few tools have been developed and tested in diverse populations. This study evaluated the psychometric characteristics of the Spiritual Perspective Scale (SPS) in 102 pregnant African American women. Internal consistency reliability was high and evidence of construct validity was provided. The SPS correlated as hypothesized with church attendance, religiosity, and self-reported spirituality. In addition, the SPS correlated negatively with depression, anxiety, and stress. Factor analysis revealed a two-factor solution. The SPS performed well suggesting that it is an appropriate tool to use as a measure of spirituality in pregnant African American women. ß

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Coping With Grief After Involuntary Pregnancy Loss: Perspectives of African American Women

Cited by 83 publications

References 35 publications

Contexts and evolution of women's responses to miscarriage during the first year after loss

Contexts and evolution of women's responses to miscarriage during the first year after loss

Depression and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms After Perinatal Loss in a Population-Based Sample

Psychometric characteristics of the spiritual perspective scale in pregnant African‐American women

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