Parental Response to Perinatal Loss: Psychological Effects, Coping Strategies and Cultural Influences

Abstract

Perinatal loss (PNL) causes profound grief to parents. In more than half the cases of PNL, parents go on to experience complicated grief. This persists longer than ordinary grief and is characterized by depressive symptoms, anxiety as well as symptoms of trauma. The aim of the study is to add insight on the profound effects of PNL on parental wellbeing, by shedding light on how grief and emotional struggles interact with cultural beliefs and practices when parents experience PNL. This research also aims to highlight the need for culturally sensitive emotional psychotherapeutic support, to ease the grieving process, promote healing and encourage resilience in the face of PNL. Through a review of existing literature this study examines the psychological effects of PNL on parents and the various coping strategies they use to overcome the effects of the loss. It also looks into select cultural beliefs and practices related to PNL, and their influence on the experience and coping strategies parents use to cope with PNL. This study emphasizes the importance of providing emotional support to parents experiencing PNL. Additionally, it recommends that those that provide such support be culturally sensitive and aware, educating themselves on the cultural underpinnings of the PNL experience for the family, in order to provide appropriate and effective care to each family that experiences PNL.