A Study on the Parental Processes of Grief Adjustment among Perinatal Death

• Main Authors: Chu-Chen Huang, 黃菊珍
• Other Authors: Shu-Sum Ng
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2005
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/13839853324338902556

碩士 === 國立台北護理學院 === 生死教育與輔導研究所 === 94 === A Study on the Parental Processes of Grief Adjustment among Perinatal Death Chu-Chen Huang Abstract The aim of this thesis is to explore the grief of perinatal death, the connotation of process and strategy in adjustment and meaning making in recovery. A qualitative research with phenomenological method was used for analysis of four bereaved parents’ interviews with in-depth semi-constructed questions. The interview content was analyzed using the Collaizzi (1987) method and main findings are as following: 1. The adjustment process of bereavement Two periods of time were divided. The first period is from diagnosis of abnormality of fetuses to time of death. The second period is from death till now. Five themes are identified by this research during first period are (1) The uncertainty of fetus's health. (2) The initial impact of been informed of diagnosis. (3) Agonize over keep or abandon the abnormal fetus. (4) Stress about the termination of pregnancy. (5) The dilemma of whether to see the dead fetus body or not. Seven themes identified in second period including (1) To accept the reality of the newborn death. (2) Suffering from witness of baby's death. (3) Lack of satisfaction of medical care (4) Disenfranchised grief by culture. (5) Guilty. (6) Different percep- tion and feelings between mother and father. (7) Reorientation and reinvest in new life. IV 2. Response of grief Individual difference exists in grief, which dose not appears stage by stage. Bereaved parents swing in diversity of emotions. Guilty, self-blame and regret are the most stressors during this process. 3. Coping Strategy Coping strategies include experiencing grief, doing unfinished business and reestablishing hope. There are four subjects. (1) To hide emotions and try to control. (2) To adjust with circumstance without baby. (3) Symbol therapy. (4) To being pregnant again. 4. Variables of grief: (1) Different expression of grief between male and female. (2) Attachment. (3) Causes of death. (4) Culture and rituals. (5) Failure or success of pregnant again. (6) Support system and family intervention. (7) Time after death. 5. Life meaning Learning letting go from lessons of own and lost through adjustment to new life attitude, reorientation of life goal, interpretation of suffering, and perceive the exist of death. This study provides concrete suggestions to scholars, experts and practicians who provide counseling and medical care to bereaved parents and give supportive helps actively. Thus, more humane caring can be provided. Keywords: perinatal death, grief, grief adjustment, the meaning of life V