Interactive grief and coping in the marital dyad following the fetal or infant death of their child

Kathleen R Gilbert, Purdue University

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to contribute to the understanding of the grief resolution process in marital couples after the death of their child in pregnancy or infancy. The study explored interactive dynamics in the couple's relationship and examined the ways in which they coped with the effects of the death on themselves individually and as part of a dyadic system. A non-probability, convenience sample of 27 married couples who had experienced such a loss served as the participants in this study. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used. Semi-structured interviews served as the basic source of data and focused on their subjective view of how they coped with their own grief and their spouse's response to the death; partners were interviewed simultaneously. Standardized scales were also used. Grief was seen as their response to the effects of the death on their assumptive world, basic beliefs about what "should" occur in life. Grief was resolved by reconstructing this assumptive world. Coping included information gathering and processing to reestablish structure and regain a sense of meaning in life. Painful aspects of their loss were often blunted with such information avoiding strategies as denial and distraction. Aspects of the loss that could not be integrated into the assumptive world were sealed over, that is, consciously removed from active consideration. Grief resolution was often halting and episodes of recurrent or "shadow" grief were common. In the dyadic context, marital partners were faced with their relational responsibilities in addition to their own needs. The pressures of being in a system in which both partners were coping with strong and frequently unfamiliar emotions often contributed to conflict. Markedly different expectations, unique individual experiences, incongruent grieving and misinterpretation of one another's behavior contributed to conflict. Conflict did not occur when communication of both information and emotion was open and honest, the experience was seen as shared, partners were sensitive to each other's needs, showed flexibility, and held a positive view or moved to a more positive view of their spouse and their marriage.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Figley, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Families & family life|Personal relationships|Sociology

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