Adolescent Parent Mourning Reactions Associated with Stillbirth or Neonatal Death

Abstract

Case studies of the mourning reactions observed in six adolescent mothers who lost their infants to stillbirth or neonatal death are reported. The adolescent mothers were interviewed in a semi-structured format during their pregnancy, at the loss of the pregnancy or neonate, and two, four, six, and twelve months after the death of the infant. Bereaved adolescent mothers experienced extreme fluctuations in emotions following their loss. Additionally, they experienced losses associated with development and their successful transition to adulthood: identity losses, separation from family of origin losses, and friendship losses. No bereavement support or educational programs currently exist for bereaved adolescent mothers; they thus face potential deleterious impacts on their physiological, interpersonal, familial, and social well-being.

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