Bereavement and Stress of a Miscarriage: As it Affects the Couple

Abstract

Perinatal death affects nearly one-third of all pregnant women (Toedter, Lasker, & Alhadeff, 1988). Of the different forms of perinatal death, this study explored the psychological impact of grief and stress in couples who experienced a miscarriage. Using the Grief Experience Inventory—Loss Version and The Impact of Event Scale, this study specifically looked at the differences between the couple in how they grieve and experience the stress of the miscarriage. Profile analyses indicated that the women's overall response pattern to the bereavement scales was different from their partners. In addition, women reported significantly higher Intrusive Distress than their partners. Results suggest that a miscarriage affects the woman and her partner, as well as the relationship of the couple. The major purpose of this investigation was to study the psychological experience of a miscarriage, and to determine if women and their partners experience the loss differently.