| Published Research |
Effects of Support Groups on Post Traumatic Stress Responses in Women Experiencing
Stillbirth
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OMEGA: The Journal of Death and Dying
Issue: Volume 55, Number 1 / 2007
Pages: 71 - 90
Joanne Cacciatore - Arizona State University
Abstract:
This research study explores the effects of support groups on traumatic stress
responses of women experiencing stillbirth. Women (N = 47) responded to a mixed
method questionnaire. Quantitative results utilizing the Impact of Event Scale
Revised demonstrate that women who attend support group, when controlling for time,
had fewer post traumatic stress symptoms than did the women who did not attend
support group. Qualitative results elucidate the role of support groups in managing
grief, suggesting that connectivity with other like women may be a useful strategy
in reducing problematic psychological outcomes.
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Problematic emotions and maternal grief
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OMEGA: The Journal of Death and Dying
Issue: Volume 56, Number 4 / 2007
Pages: 329-346
Peter Barr, Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children, Sydney, Australia
Joanne Cacciatore, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Abstract:
The study was an exploration of the relation of personality proneness to “problematic emotions” — envy (Dispositional Envy Scale), jealousy (Interpersonal Jealousy Scale) and shame and guilt (Personal Feelings Questionnaire‑2) — to maternal grief (Perinatal Grief Scale‑33) following stillbirth, neonatal death or infant/child death. The 441 women who participated in the study were enrolled from the website, e‑mail contact lists and parent support groups of an organization that offers information and support to bereaved parents. All four problematic emotions were positively correlated with maternal grief. Envy, jealousy and guilt made significant unique contributions to the variance in maternal grief. Overall, time lapse since the most recent loss and the four problematic emotion predispositions explained 43% of the variance in maternal grief following child bereavement.
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Personal Fear Of Death And Grief In Bereaved Mothers
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Death Studies, In Press
Peter Barr, Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children, Sydney, Australia
Joanne Cacciatore, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Abstract:
The study explored the relation of fear of death (Multidimensional Fear of Death Scale) to maternal grief (Perinatal Grief Scale‑33) following miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death or infant/child death. The 400 women participants were recruited from the website, e-mail lists and parent groups of an organization that supports bereaved parents. Fear of death had a statistically significant relation with maternal grief. Fear of the Unknown, Fear of Premature Death and Fear of Conscious Death made significant unique contributions to the variance in maternal grief. The fear of death operative in maternal grief seems to be the fear of personal extinction.
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Stillbirth: The Mother’s Experience and Implications for Improving Care
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Journal of Social Work in End of Life and Palliative Care, 3(3),59-79
Joanne Cacciatore, PhD, MSW
Suzanne Bushfield, Ph.D., MSW
Abstract:
More children die as a result of stillbirth than all other causes of infant deaths combined (Ananth, Shiliang, Kinzler, and Kramer, 2005; Goldenberg, Kirby, and Culhane, 2004; Froen, 2005; National Institute of Health, 2004); yet, mothers experiencing stillbirth are often left bereft of support (Kubler-Ross, 2004; Fahey-McCarthy, 2003; Fletcher 2002; Saddler, 1987; DeFrain, 1986; Kirkley-Best & Kellner, 1982). Despite social work’s growing involvement in care at the end of life, parents of stillborn children have not experienced consistent, relevant, and competent professional care in coping with the tragedy of death. Forty-seven women between the ages of 19 and 51 were recruited through nonprofit agencies that provide bereavement care to grieving families. Results of this qualitative study suggest that stillbirth is emotionally complex, with long-lasting symptoms of grief and significant struggles to find meaning. The findings also support the need for perceived psychosocial and spiritual support from professional caregivers, family, and friends. The women’s own experiences argue for comprehensive approaches to support the grief and loss of stillbirth, and for the importance of social work involvement in both immediate and longer term interventions.
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| Current Research Projects |
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For more published research and for on-going calls for participants, please click here. |
If you are conducting academic research at a Masters, Doctoral,
or Post-Doc level and would like to inquire about how to involve
the MISS Foundation, please email info@missfoundation.org.
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