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Conversations, Coping, & Connectedness

A Qualitative Study of Women Who Have Experienced Involuntary Pregnancy Loss

Bibliographic Data

ID13628199
AuthorsPaulina Van (0000-0002-8413-457X, University of California, San Francisco, corresponding author)
Year2012
Volume65
Issue1
Pages71-85
Publication date2012-06-05
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueOMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0030-2228 • E-ISSN: 1541-3764
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.2190/om.65.1.e
PMID22852422
OpenAlexW2130857958
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited19

The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe processes and strategies used by women to cope after pregnancy loss. Twenty women with a history of involuntary pregnancy loss were interviewed. All of the women were in the last month of a subsequent pregnancy, married or partnered, and most were EuroAmerican or Asian American and had completed college. Taped interviews, fieldnotes, and analytical notes were transcribed then subsequently coded and developed in individual or team sessions. Construction and confirmation of the categories and related themes derived from the data was a collaborative process. Three themes were revealed that described the coping behaviors used by the women: being myself, connecting with others, and avoiding and pretending. The core concept of connectedness and coping after involuntary pregnancy loss was further validated in this study. The purpose of this study was to describe processes and strategies that facilitate coping for 20 women, pregnant subsequent to an involuntary pregnancy loss (IPL). Involuntary pregnancy loss (IPL) refers to miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies, fetal deaths, and stillbirths (Van & Meleis, 2003). This current study was designed to replicate two prior qualitative studies, with African-American women, by the author (Patterson, 2000; Van, 2001). Based on the author's previous work, a theoretical framework entitled "A Model of Living with Grief after Pregnancy Loss" was constructed (Patterson, 2000). For the current study, a more diverse sample was used to potentially expand the applicability of the Model of Living with Grief after Pregnancy Loss to women who are of races other than African American

Coping (psychology · Developmental psychology · Grief · Pregnancy · Psychiatry · Qualitative research · Spouse · Clinical Psychology · Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health · Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum · Medicine · Migration, Health and Trauma · Psychology

  • Women Who Have Experienced Pregnancy Loss

    Open Access•Amber L Randolph, Renae Swanson et al.•The Family Journal•2021

  • Survey of rumination and its influence factors analysis in puerperal women with termination of pregnancy for fetal abnormality

    Open Access•Shaofang Ye, S H Ye et al.•Current Psychology•2025

  • Reconciling cultural conflicts

    Bryan Jan, Erin Denney-Koelsch et al.•Death Studies•2025

  • Coping After Involuntary Pregnancy Loss

    Open Access•Sara Fernández‐Basanta, Paulina Van et al.•OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying•2019

  • Carrying Life While Carrying Loss

    Open Access•Paulina Van•OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying•2025

  • Coping Strategies Following Fetal Loss Among Women Who Gave Birth in Selected Health Facilities in Eastern Ethiopia

    Open Access•Masresha Leta serbesa, Abera Kenay Tura et al.•OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying•2025

  • Navigating an Uncertain Journey of Pregnancy After Perinatal Loss

    Open Access•Sarah Moore, Sarah E Moore et al.•Illness Crisis & Loss•2018

  • Religious Beliefs Affect Grieving After Pregnancy Loss

    Open Access•F Susan Cowchock, Judith N Lasker et al.•Journal of Religion and Health•2009

  • Breaking the Silence of African American Women

    Paulina Van•Health Care For Women International•2001

  • Searching for the structure of coping

    Ellen A Skinner, Kathleen Edge et al.•Psychological Bulletin•2003

  • Effects of Support Groups on Post Traumatic Stress Responses in Women Experiencing Stillbirth

    Open Access•Joanne Cacciatore•OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying•2007

  • Perinatal Loss

    Open Access•Bernadette Mccreight, Bernadette Susan McCreight•OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying•2008

  • The Continued Lived Experience of the Unexpected Death of a Child

    Open Access•Brenda S Parker, Karen S Dunn•OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying•2011

  • Determinants of Outcome following Bereavement

    Open Access•J Parkes, C Murray Parkes•OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying•1976

  • The Experience of Miscarriage in First Pregnancy

    Paula Gerber-Epstein, Ronit D Leichtentritt et al.•Death Studies•2008

  • A Model of Mourning

    Open Access•Mardi J Horowitz•Journal of the American…•1990

Unique citing works7
Citations per year0,88
Citation span2018 - 2025 (8)
Citation velocityrecent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 7
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