Understanding mothers' experiences of positive changes after neonatal death

Waugh, Amy, Kiemle, Gundi and Slade, Pauline ORCID: 0000-0001-5877-2706 (2018) Understanding mothers' experiences of positive changes after neonatal death. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOTRAUMATOLOGY, 9 (1). 1528124-.

Access the full-text of this item by clicking on the Open Access link.

Text
EJPT final accepted qual resubmission 27.7.18.docx - Author Accepted Manuscript
Download (59kB)

Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2018.1528124

Abstract

Background: The death of a neonatal baby has the potential for parents to experience many negative outcomes. Post traumatic growth describes positive personal change from the struggle with a traumatic event. This has not been explored in this context. Objective: This study sought to understand the experiences of mothers whose neonatal baby had died; in particular, whether mothers were able to experience any positive changes in their lives since the death of their baby. The study also sought to explore what factors may have facilitated or prevented these changes. Method: Ten mothers were recruited, whose baby had died in the neonatal period between two and 10 years previously. Mothers completed semi-structured, one-to-one interviews. Interview transcripts were analysed using Template Analysis. Results: Despite ongoing sadness, mothers recognized positive personal changes in their self-perception, relationships and life philosophy which were consistent with the post-traumatic growth model. Mothers also identified facilitators and barriers to these changes which were categorized into five themes: 'Person-centred care', 'making sense', 'personal coping strategies', 'learning to live with it' and 'identity'. Conclusions: This study identified that the mothers made a conscious personal decision to cope with their experience. This is a unique finding which requires further exploration. Facilitators and barriers of growth both occurred as elements within the same five themes, indicating that all identified domains before and after the death have the potential to facilitate or to prevent personal growth. Importantly, these findings indicate that person-centred services, which are responsive to individual needs at all stages, are vital when providing maternity care in the context of loss.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Post-traumatic growth, personal growth, neonatal death, qualitative research, Template Analysis
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	10 Sep 2018 10:39
Last Modified:	19 Jan 2023 01:24
DOI:	10.1080/20008198.2018.1528124
Open Access URL:	https://tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/20008198....
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3025994