Social Support Following Perinatal Loss

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to examine parents' descriptions of the ways family and friends supported them after they had experienced a perinatal loss. For this project, a secondary analysis of data from two phenomenological studies on perinatal loss was performed. A combined total of 62 interview transcripts from 22 mothers and 9 fathers were examined. Data analysis included identifying all statements in the interview transcripts that pertained to the ways that family and friends supported parents. The modes of supportive behavior (emotional, advice/feedback, practical, financial, and socializing) in Vaux's theory of social support served as a useful framework for presenting the findings. Parents received emotional support most frequently. Findings from the current study provide data for health care professionals to use to provide guidance to family and friends of bereaved parents.

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

“…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.…”

Perinatal Loss in Low-Income African American Parents

“…The most common support they received was emotional support. The various types of support that parents received is described in detail elsewhere (Kavanaugh, Trier, & Korzec, 2004). Although parents were aware of support groups in their area and expressed an interest in attending, none had participated in them.…”

Vanhempien parisuhteeseensa toivoma tuki lapsen kuoleman jälkeen

“…Surututkimuksissa on havaittu, että vanhem pien tuen tarve lapsen kuoleman jälkeen on yk silöllistä (9,26,37), ja että vanhemmat voivat käyttää erilaisia keinoja surusta selviytymiseen (25,26,40). Lapsen kuoleman jälkeen surusta selviytymisessä voivat vanhempia auttaa esimer kiksi lapseen liittyvien muistojen vaaliminen (10,(41)(42)(43), emotionaalisen tuen saaminen (11,37,44), asiasta keskustelemisen mahdollistaminen (40,42,45) ja kokemuksen jakaminen (11)(12)(13)42).…”

“…Lapsen kuoleman jälkeen surusta selviytymisessä voivat vanhempia auttaa esimer kiksi lapseen liittyvien muistojen vaaliminen (10,(41)(42)(43), emotionaalisen tuen saaminen (11,37,44), asiasta keskustelemisen mahdollistaminen (40,42,45) ja kokemuksen jakaminen (11)(12)(13)42). Kontaktin säilyminen hoitolaitokseen lap sen kuoleman jälkeen (12, 40, 42), psykologinen tuki (14,43), tiedollinen tuki (13,40,42,44), käytännönläheinen tuki (13,37), sekä erilaiset virtuaaliset tukimuodot (11,43) saattavat myös edistää vanhempien surusta selviytymistä. Sen sijaan ei ole juurikaan tietoa siitä, minkälaista tukea vanhemmat ovat saaneet parisuhteeseensa tai miten annettu tuki olisi vaikuttanut parisuh teeseen.…”