Farewell and burial experience following perinatal loss: psychological adaptation of women
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15574/HW.2025.6(186).7282Keywords:
perinatal loss, grief, farewell and burial experience, psychological adaptation, post-traumatic stress, coping efficacy, forced displacementAbstract
Perinatal loss is a significant psychologically traumatic experience associated with an increased risk of prolonged grief disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and somatic distress. The role of farewell and burial experience in the process of psychological adaptation remains insufficiently studied. In the context of forced displacement in Ukraine, access to a complete farewell and regular visits to the burial site may be limited, potentially affecting the integration of loss.
Aim - to determine the relationship between components of farewell and burial experience and indicators of psychological adaptation in women following perinatal loss.
Materials and methods. A cross-sectional online study was conducted involving 67 women who had experienced perinatal loss. Grief intensity, post-traumatic symptoms, anxiety-depressive distress, somatic symptoms, avoidance, negative cognitions, relationship satisfaction, and coping efficacy were assessed using validated psychometric instruments. Non-parametric group comparison methods and correlation analysis were applied. The level of statistical significance was set at p<0.05.
Results. The ability to perform a burial ritual to the desired extent was associated with higher relationship satisfaction (p=0.003) and greater coping efficacy (p=0.014). The presence of a burial site was associated with higher coping efficacy (p=0.033), while only a trend toward higher relationship satisfaction was observed (p=0.063). Barriers to visiting the burial site were associated with higher post-traumatic stress symptoms (p=0.008) and lower relationship satisfaction (p=0.001). Physical contact with the infant’s body did not demonstrate statistically significant relationships with mental health outcomes.
Conclusions. A more complete farewell and burial experience following perinatal loss is associated with better adaptive outcomes, particularly greater coping efficacy. A trend toward higher relationship satisfaction was also observed. In contrast, barriers to visiting the burial site are associated with more pronounced post-traumatic stress symptoms and lower interpersonal relationship satisfaction.
No conflict of interests was declared by the authors.
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