Perinatal loss: attachment, grief symptoms and women's quality of life

Abstract

Aims/background: Perinatal loss may cause intense distress even psychiatric issues, affecting the woman's quality of life. Attachment may provide a useful perspective in understanding the outcomes of the mourning process. Thus, the objectives of the present study were to evaluate perinatal grief symptoms and the psychological and general quality of life among 137 Italian women (mean age 36,9. ± 6,88 years old) in relation to attachment, specifically measured through parental care and control.

Design/methods: About 79.6% of the participants had miscarriages and 20.4% had stillbirths. About 45.3% were childless. The women completed the Parental Bonding Instrument, the Perinatal Grief Scale and the Psychosocial General Well-Being Index online most frequently between 3 and 6 months (56.2%) after the perinatal loss.

Results: All the study participants showed intense grief and severe grief reactions to loss. Moreover, women experiencing optimal bonding towards their own mothers had a more positive effect on perinatal grief and psychological and general quality of life.

Conclusions: Attachment-based, tailored interventions for women who have experienced perinatal loss should improve their psychological and overall quality of life.

Keywords: Perinatal loss; attachment; grief reactions; quality of life; women health.