ENDO YUKO, SAITO IZUMI. Spiritual Support to Improve Women's Mental Health after Miscarriage and Stillbirth: A Qualitative Study in Japan.
Kobe J Med Sci 2024;
70:E1-E14. [PMID:
38462460 PMCID:
PMC11086635 DOI:
10.24546/0100486284]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
PROBLEM
Miscarriage and stillbirth can severely impact maternal mental well-being.
BACKGROUND
In Japan, local municipalities must prepare systems to provide mental and social-spiritual support to women after miscarriage or stillbirth.
OBJECTIVE
To elucidate what spiritually supports the mental health of women who have experienced miscarriages and stillbirths.
METHODS
This analysis included 25 women who had experienced miscarriage or stillbirth at least one month previously and participated in self-help group meetings at least twice. Data were collected from March 2020 to March 2021 using two narrative interviews and questionnaires.
FINDINGS
The mothers led their lives "together" with their children. They derived spiritual support from others, such as "the presence of someone who is living now after having experienced anguish" and "others who acknowledge the presence of my child and me as a mother. " Further elements of the support included "resigning myself to face my grief" and "strong links to deceased children. " While facing their grief by accepting that this anguish cannot be replaced [with anything else] and resigning themselves to reality, their bond to their child is strengthened.
CONCLUSION
What women perceive as support after a miscarriage or stillbirth will be an important clue to care.
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