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Chen L, Qian Q, Zhu Y, Zhang X, Zhang Y, Jiang F, Chu G, Shi J, Pu L. Experiences and needs of Chinese women after a stillbirth: a qualitative phenomenological study. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e088079. [PMID: 39231550 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-088079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/06/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We aimed to explore the lived experiences and needs of women after a recent stillbirth event. DESIGN Qualitative phenomenological study. SETTING The current study was conducted in a tertiary obstetric hospital in East China between 25 January 2024 and 29 March 2024. PARTICIPANTS 14 women having experienced a stillbirth within the last 6 months. RESULTS Researchers agreed on four key themes including individual variations in emotional reaction and recovery, physical recovery and concerns about future pregnancies, the critical role of social support systems and variations in perceptions of stillbirth as the death of a fetus versus a human being, along with related mourning rituals. These themes collectively highlight the multifaceted nature of the stillbirth experience, underscoring the complex interplay between personal, cultural and medical factors that shape women's emotional and physical responses. CONCLUSIONS Post-stillbirth experiences among Chinese women are deeply individualised and influenced by a complex interplay of personal emotions, cultural contexts and medical interactions. It is imperative for healthcare systems to implement tailored care strategies beyond standard protocols to proactively address their varied emotional landscapes and physical concerns with an enhanced awareness of cultural sensitivities. Specialised training for healthcare providers should be devised to recognise and respond to the unique grief processes. Comprehensive support systems should be established to significantly enhance the recovery journey by providing essential resources and community connections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Chen
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qiyu Qian
- Department of Women's Health, Suzhou Gusu District Maternal and Child Health Care Institute, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yan Zhu
- Center for Health Statistics and Information, National Health Commission of People's Republic of China, Beijing, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- Department of Women's Health, Suzhou Gusu District Maternal and Child Health Care Institute, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yueming Zhang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Feizhou Jiang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Guangping Chu
- Department of Women's Health, Suzhou Gusu District Maternal and Child Health Care Institute, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jia Shi
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Li Pu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
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McKenzie M, Humphreys C, Tarzia L. Mothering in the Aftermath of Reproductive Coercion and Abuse. Violence Against Women 2024:10778012241263102. [PMID: 39043121 DOI: 10.1177/10778012241263102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
A partner's reproductive coercion and abuse (RCA) can significantly undermine women's physical health and psychological wellbeing. Yet little research has explored how RCA affects experiences of mothering and relationships with children. Based on an analysis of interviews with 30 Australian mothers, we found that RCA affected mothering in complex ways. Many struggled with feeling detached, resentful, and guilty toward their children, while some found mothering an emotionally and morally restorative experience after the RCA. All felt compelled to conceal their abuse from their children and others. The findings have implications for how healthcare practitioners can support mothers in the aftermath of RCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandy McKenzie
- Department of General Practice & Primary Care, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Cathy Humphreys
- Department of Social Work, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Laura Tarzia
- Department of General Practice & Primary Care, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Family Violence Prevention, The Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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Lloyd CA, Hutti MH. Grief intensity following adolescent miscarriage or abortion: A descriptive study of recollections of adult women. Heliyon 2024; 10:e33634. [PMID: 39071695 PMCID: PMC11283081 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective The purpose of this study was to examine women's recollected lifespan perceptions of the effect of grief intensity following adolescent perinatal death. Participants Nineteen adult women who had experienced either a miscarriage or an abortion during adolescence. The study involved the recollection of events surrounding the experience which had occurred between three and 28 years previously. Methods A 55-item online survey was used to gather recollected perceptions of adolescent miscarriage and abortion experiences. The Perinatal Grief Intensity Scale was embedded within this survey. The participants were instructed to recall their responses to the perinatal loss at the time of the event as an adolescent (T1; Time 1) and how they feel currently as adults about their previous adolescent perinatal death (T2; Time 2). Data were collected at both T1 and T2. The Perinatal Grief Intensity Scale is accompanied by an appropriately weighted Excel scoring sheet which was utilised to analyse the data at both T1 and T2. Results As adolescents, participants perceived similar high and medium grief intensity when compared by type of loss (miscarriage, n = 6; abortion, n = 6). However, more women who had an abortion (n = 5) experienced low grief intensity compared with participants who had a miscarriage (n = 2). As adults, participants continued to perceive similar high and medium grief intensity when compared by type of loss (miscarriage, n = 6; abortion, n = 5). In addition, women who had an abortion continued to experience more low grief intensity (n = 6) compared with participants who had a miscarriage (n = 2). Approximately one quarter of adult female respondents, 26 % (n = 5) exhibited increased grief intensity as measured by the scores over time. Thirty seven percent (n = 7) exhibited no change in scores, and 37 % (n = 7) exhibited decreased scores over time in response to adolescent miscarriage or abortion. Conclusions Support for the adoption of the Perinatal Grief Intensity Scale to identify women in need of follow-up for grief intensity after an adolescent miscarried or terminated pregnancy is evident. The results of this study have demonstrated that grief can resurge or appear in adult females as they respond to events across the lifespan, including further reproductive experiences. Therefore there is a compulsion for health care professionals to identify women at risk of intensive grief responses due to previous contributory events. Tweetable abstract Healthcare providers should screen adult women who have experienced a previous adolescent miscarriage or termination for adverse mental health issues in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marianne H. Hutti
- College of Nursing, University of Kentucky, KY, USA
- Ambulatory Services, University of Kentucky (UK) Healthcare, KY, USA
- School of Nursing, University of Louisville, KY, USA
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Tang BWJ, Ibrahim BB, Shorey S. Complex journeys of adolescents after induced abortion: A qualitative systematic review. J Pediatr Nurs 2024; 77:e67-e80. [PMID: 38553284 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2024.03.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
PROBLEM Adolescents face unique challenges in accessing sexual healthcare, particularly regarding induced abortion experiences. Prior research, often quantitative or biased towards young adults, overlooks this. This review aims to address adolescents' specific post-abortion experiences to inform comprehensive reproductive healthcare needs. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Qualitative and mixed-methods studies exploring the experiences of adolescents following induced abortion were included. Studies reporting these experiences from third-person perspectives were excluded. SAMPLE Five electronic databases (CINAHL, PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Embase) were searched from the databases' inception through March 2024. Of the 2834 articles retrieved, 45 studies were included in this review. RESULTS Using a meta-synthesis approach combining Sandelowski & Barroso's qualitative metasummary with Braun & Clarke's thematic analysis, three main themes emerged: Post-abortion experiences and emotions, Social dynamics and support, and Life post-abortion and future perspectives. CONCLUSIONS Adolescents who underwent abortion faced physical and emotional challenges, adopted various coping strategies, and had mixed experiences with social support and healthcare providers. To address these challenges, the provision of comprehensive reproductive health information, access to safe and legal abortion options, and support for their physical, social, and emotional well-being is necessary. Healthcare providers must ensure that adolescents are equipped with necessary skills to navigate their reproductive health journeys with informed choices and confidence. IMPLICATIONS Future research exploring adolescents' experiences, considering cultural beliefs, involving multiple stakeholders, and conducting longitudinal studies, is warranted. Healthcare providers should implement practice changes, including providing accurate information, offering tailored mental health support, and undergoing adolescent-friendly training, to enhance care for adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byoray Wen Jia Tang
- Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Shefaly Shorey
- Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
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Williams ML. The Lawlessness of Loss: Poetry and Autoethnographic Writing as Therapy in Grief and Loss. OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING 2024:302228241260937. [PMID: 38872245 DOI: 10.1177/00302228241260937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
This study seeks to locate and evaluate 'poetry therapy' as a form of therapeutic method for use by practitioners of humanistic psychotherapy especially when used in responding to the traumas associated with grief and loss. Following an initial survey of the literature, the study will explore some examples of the use of poetry therapy for grief, with an especial qualitative focus upon the insights to be gained from first-hand autoethnographic accounts. The study undertakes a literature review which also includes some consideration of peer-reviewed autoethnographic explorations authored by theorists and practitioners of psychotherapy in order to identify what additional insights, if any, may be gained from accessing these personal accounts of process. In particular, the humanist perspective upon grief should be tempered with pragmatism so as to avoid regarding poetry as a reductive sentimentalising of trauma: encountering loss may be seen as experiencing subjection to a 'lawless' world. The study confirms the use of poetry therapy and autoethnographic writing has significant utility and potential, whilst recognising the challenges for empirical confirmation, the need for practitioners to be sensitive to the nuances of the source materials and the subtlety of appropriate application for different client perspectives and groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie L Williams
- School of Law, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
- Department of Law and Criminology, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, UK
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Adeleye KK, Ogungbe O, Chutiyami M, Iradukunda F. Pregnancy loss among Muslim women: A narrative review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING STUDIES ADVANCES 2024; 6:100205. [PMID: 38827821 PMCID: PMC11141144 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnsa.2024.100205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Diversity in spirituality, religion, and cultural norms among women leads to varying attitudes, grieving processes, and coping mechanisms after a pregnancy loss. Despite this, there is a limited understanding of grief, coping mechanisms, and mental health outcomes following pregnancy loss among Muslim women. Objectives This study aims to examine the impact of religion, spirituality, and faith communities on the psychological health of Muslim women during pregnancy loss. Method We systematically searched six databases with the key concepts, 'pregnancy loss' and 'Muslim women,' in PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science, APA PsycINFO, and Academic Search. The search strategy was developed in line with the PCOT framework: Population - Muslim Women with "pregnancy loss," "miscarriage," "stillbirth, Context - "religion," faith, "spirituality," "faith communities," Outcome - "religious practices," perception, coping mechanism, "psychological health."Studies were screened, their quality appraised, and narratively sized in line with the review aim. The review protocol was registered at Open Science Framework (OSF): https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/52QTA. Result Findings from the reviewed articles addressed the following themes: (a) Overwhelming Grief and Loss, (b) social isolation and stigmatization, (c) impact on mental health, and (d) trust in divine destiny. Islamic beliefs were strongly featured in how Muslim women processed pregnancy loss. Concepts such as tawakkul and yaqeen (trusting and certainty) were used to interpret pregnancy loss, with many women acknowledging that their Islamic faith eased the sorrow of pregnancy loss, facilitated acceptance, and strengthened their Islamic belief system. Conclusion This review revealed that there is limited information on Muslim women's experience of pregnancy loss. Professionals helping Muslim women dealing with the grief of pregnancy loss need to be aware that spirituality and faith communities play a major role in shaping their coping mechanisms. Future studies on the development of culturally congruent bereavement care models and supportive interventions for Muslim women facing pregnancy loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khadijat K. Adeleye
- Elaine Marieb College of Nursing University of Massachusetts, Amherst, United States
| | - Oluwabunmi Ogungbe
- Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Muhammad Chutiyami
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Technology Sydney, Australia
| | - Favorite Iradukunda
- Elaine Marieb College of Nursing University of Massachusetts, Amherst, United States
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Mendes DCG, Fonseca A, Cameirão MS. The psychological impact of Early Pregnancy Loss in Portugal: incidence and the effect on psychological morbidity. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1188060. [PMID: 37427267 PMCID: PMC10325666 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1188060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Worldwide, up to a quarter of all recognized pregnancies result in Early Pregnancy Loss (EPL), also known as miscarriage. For many women, this is a traumatic experience that leads to persistent negative mental health responses. The most common morbidity reported in studies from different countries is complicated grief, usually comorbid with depression, anxiety, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). To our best knowledge, no studies characterizing the psychological impact of EPL have been made in Portugal. Methods An online survey was conducted to evaluate clinical symptoms of perinatal grief, anxiety, depression, and PTSD in women who suffered a spontaneous loss within 20 weeks of gestation. Out of 1,015 women who answered this survey, 873 were considered eligible, and subsequently distributed in 7 groups according to the time passed between their loss and their participation in the study. Results The proportion of women showing symptoms of all comorbidities was greater in those whose loss had happened within a month, and there was a significant gradual decrease over time in scores and proportions of clinical perinatal grief and PTSD. In terms of depression symptoms, scores dropped significantly in the group whose loss occurred 13-24 months before their participation but proportions oscillated without great changes in the other groups. Regarding anxiety, there were small oscillations, but there was no significant decrease of symptoms over time. Discussion Overall, despite a general drop in scores for most morbidities over time, substantial proportions of women showed persistent symptoms of clinical morbidities 3 years or more after the loss. Therefore, it is essential to promote monitoring of possible complicated responses to the event, to provide appropriate and timely intervention to those women in need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana C. Gonçalves Mendes
- Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e da Engenharia & NOVA LINCS, Universidade da Madeira, Funchal, Portugal
- Agência Regional para o Desenvolvimento de Investigação, Tecnologia e Inovação (ARDITI), Funchal, Portugal
| | - Ana Fonseca
- University of Coimbra, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioral Intervention, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Mónica S. Cameirão
- Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e da Engenharia & NOVA LINCS, Universidade da Madeira, Funchal, Portugal
- Agência Regional para o Desenvolvimento de Investigação, Tecnologia e Inovação (ARDITI), Funchal, Portugal
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Buskmiller C, Grauerholz KR, Bute J, Brann M, Fredenburg M, Refuerzo JS. Validation of a Brief Measure for Complicated Grief Specific to Reproductive Loss. Cureus 2023; 15:e37884. [PMID: 37214013 PMCID: PMC10199718 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.37884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Complicated grief reactions follow some pregnancy outcomes, like miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death, infant death, selective reduction, or termination of pregnancy. Stigma can delay treatment and worsen outcomes. Screening tools such as the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale detect complicated grief poorly, and specific tools for prolonged or complicated grief after a reproductive loss are cumbersome. In this study, a five-item questionnaire to detect complicated grief after reproductive loss of any type was designed and preliminary validated. Methods A questionnaire patterned after the extensively validated Brief Grief Questionnaire (BGQ) was created by a group of physicians and lay advocates to employ non-traumatic but specific language related to grief after miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death, infant death, selective reduction, or termination of pregnancy. One hundred and forty women at a large academic center were recruited in person and via social media to validate the questionnaire with well-studied instruments for anxiety (7-item Panic Disorder Severity Scale, PDSS), trauma (22-item Impact of Events Scale), and reproductive grief and depressive symptoms (33-item Perinatal Grief Scale [PGS]). Results The response rate was 74.9%. Of the 140 participants, 18 (12.8%) experienced their loss during high-risk pregnancies, and 65 (46.4%) were recruited via social media. Seventy-one (51%) respondents had a score > 4, a positive screen for the BGQ. On average, women experienced their loss 2 years prior to participation (IQR 1-5 years). Cronbach's alpha was 0.77 (95% CI: 0.69-0.83). The goodness of fit indices of the model met Fornell and Larker criteria (RMSEA = 0.167, CFI = 0.89, SRMR = 0.06). The AVE was 0.42 and the CR 0.78. Conclusions This investigator-created screening tool is internally consistent and meets preliminary criteria for discriminant validity. This tool can be refined prior to testing for sensitivity and specificity in screening for complicated grief after a reproductive loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara Buskmiller
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, USA
| | | | - Jennifer Bute
- Communication, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), Indianpolis, USA
| | - Maria Brann
- Communication Studies, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, USA
| | | | - Jerrie S Refuerzo
- Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston McGovern Medical School, Houston, USA
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Estimation of stillbirths attributable to ambient fine particles in 137 countries. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6950. [PMID: 36446772 PMCID: PMC9709081 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34250-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Gestational exposure to ambient fine particles (PM2.5) increases the risk of stillbirth, but the related disease burden is unknown, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We combine state-of-the-art estimates on stillbirths, and multiple exposure-response functions obtained from previous meta-analyses or derived by a self-matched case-control study in 54 LMICs. 13,870 stillbirths and 32,449 livebirths are extracted from 113 geocoded surveys from the Demographic and Health Surveys. Each stillbirth is compared to livebirth(s) of the same mother using a conditional logit regression. We find that 10-µg/m3 increase of PM2.5 is associated with an 11.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 6.4, 15.7) increase in the risk of stillbirth, and the association is significantly enhanced by maternal age. Based on age-specific nonlinear PM2.5-stillbirth curves, we evaluate the PM2.5-related stillbirths in 137 countries. In 2015, of 2.09 (95% CI: 1.98, 2.20) million stillbirths, 0.83 (0.54, 1.08) million or 39.7% (26.1, 50.8) are attributable to PM2.5 exposure exceeding the reference level of 10 μg/m3. In LMICs, preventing pregnant women from being exposed to PM2.5 can improve maternal health.
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Rahmati M, Saei Ghare Naz M, Azizi F, Ramezani Tehrani F. Pregnancy loss and subsequent risk of prediabetes, diabetes and metabolic syndrome in couples: Tehran lipid and glucose study. Lab Invest 2022; 20:372. [PMID: 35982490 PMCID: PMC9389652 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03578-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Background There is limited evidence regarding the impact of pregnancy loss on the subsequent risk of metabolic disorders. We aimed to investigate whether history of pregnancy loss is associated with the subsequent risk of prediabetes (pre-DM), diabetes (DM), and metabolic syndrome (METs) among couples. Method In this population-based cohort study, 2765 couples with and without history of pregnancy loss and free of DM, pre-DM, and METs at baseline were included and followed for incidents of DM, pre-DM, and METs by 3-year intervals visits from 1999 to 2018. Detailed data of variables was collected using standard questionnaires, interviews, clinical and laboratory assessments. A modified Poisson regression for binary outcome data with a log link function and robust error variance was used to estimate relative risks (RRs) in couples with and without history of pregnancy loss. Both unadjusted and adjusted models were fitted, and effect measures were calculated. Result During a median follow-up of 15 years, females with history of pregnancy loss were experienced more pre-DM (50% vs. 45.5%), DM (28.9% vs. 21.3%), and METs (70% vs. 60.1%) than females without such history. Moreover, history of pregnancy loss increased the risk of METs by 8% among females. The incidence of DM in males with history of pregnancy loss in their spouses was higher than in males without it (28.8% vs. 23.5%). Among males, having a spouse with history of pregnancy loss was positively associated with the risk of pre-DM (RR = 1.12; 95%CI: 1.02, 1.23, p = 0.02); furthermore, they were more prone to the risk of METs than females with a history of pregnancy loss (RR = 1.13; 95%CI: 1.07, 1.20, p < 0.001). Conclusion Although pregnancy loss is a female-specific factor, may foreshadow the subsequent METs, our study identified a higher risk of subsequent pre-DM and METs in males with history of pregnancy loss in their spouses. Pregnancy loss could be considered a possible future risk factor for metabolic disorders in couples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Rahmati
- Reproductive Endocrinology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid, Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marzieh Saei Ghare Naz
- Reproductive Endocrinology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid, Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Fereidoun Azizi
- Endocrine Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fahimeh Ramezani Tehrani
- Reproductive Endocrinology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid, Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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11
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Pierce SK, Reynolds KA, Hardman MP, Furer P. How do prenatal people describe their experiences with anxiety? a qualitative analysis of blog content. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2022; 22:398. [PMID: 35538436 PMCID: PMC9092700 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-022-04697-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Despite elevated prevalence rates of prenatal (antenatal) anxiety across studies (13–21%), and prenatal people’s use of the Internet to search for pregnancy-related information and support, research investigating prenatal people’s experiences with online mental health communication, such as blogs, is lacking. This study examined blog entries focused on anxiety in pregnancy to better understand prenatal people’s Internet discourse concerning their experiences with anxiety. Methods A Google search using the keywords “anxiety,” “pregnant,” and “blog” resulted in N = 18 blogs that met inclusion criteria (public blog written in English describing a personal experience with prenatal anxiety in 250 words or more). Blog content was analyzed using a thematic analytic approach based on grounded theory principles. Results Three main themes capturing prenatal people’s experiences with anxiety as written in public blog content were developed from qualitative analyses: 1) etiology (subthemes: before pregnancy, during the current pregnancy, related to a previous pregnancy), 2) triggers (subthemes: uncertainty, perceived lack of control, and guilt and shame for not having a normal pregnancy), and 3) symptoms (subthemes: intertwined emotional, cognitive and physical symptoms, in addition to behavioural symptoms). Conclusions Our findings demonstrate a need for perinatal professionals to address anxiety symptoms and triggers in pregnancy. One way to address this may be by providing credible information regarding prenatal mental and physical health to pregnant people through online mediums, such as blogs. Bloggers often discussed experiencing a combination of emotional, cognitive, physical, and behavioural symptoms, which suggests that medical and mental health professionals should work collaboratively to provide care for prenatal people experiencing anxiety. Furthermore, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) addresses these types of symptoms, which suggests that interventions developed or adapted to meet this populations’ needs could employ this therapeutic approach. Future research should explore the reasons why prenatal people experiencing anxiety engage with blogs, the characteristics of bloggers and readers, the impact of the blogging experience on both the blogger and their audience, and the information quality of blog content. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12884-022-04697-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shayna K Pierce
- Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, 190 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Kristin A Reynolds
- Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, 190 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada.
| | - Madison P Hardman
- Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, 190 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Patricia Furer
- Department of Clinical Health Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
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12
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Hiefner AR, Villareal A. A Multidisciplinary, Family-Oriented Approach to Caring for Parents After Miscarriage: The Integrated Behavioral Health Model of Care. Front Public Health 2021; 9:725762. [PMID: 34917568 PMCID: PMC8669268 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.725762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Miscarriage is increasingly gaining recognition, both in scientific literature and media outlets, as a loss that has significant and lasting effects on parents, though often disenfranchised and overlooked by both personal support networks and healthcare providers. For both men and women, miscarriage can usher in intense grief, despair, and difficulty coping, and for women in particular, there is evidence of increased prevalence of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress. Additionally, miscarriage can contribute to decreased relationship satisfaction and increased risk of separation, all while stigma and disenfranchisement create a sense of isolation. Despite this increased need for support, research indicates that many parents experience their healthcare providers as dismissive of the significance of the loss and as primarily focusing only on the physical elements of care. Research exploring the barriers to providers engaging in more biopsychosocial-oriented care has identified time constraints, lack of resources, lack of training in addressing loss, and compassion fatigue as key areas for intervention. This paper will review the biopsychosocial elements of miscarriage and discuss a multidisciplinary, family-oriented approach that can be implemented in healthcare settings to ensure a high quality and holistic level of care for individuals, couples, and families experiencing pregnancy loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela R Hiefner
- Family and Community Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Astrud Villareal
- Family and Community Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
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