Women pregnant after previous perinatal loss: relationships between adult attachment, shame, and prenatal psychological outcomes

Julia Caldwell; Pamela Meredith; Koa Whittingham; Jenny Ziviani; Trish A Wilson

doi:10.1080/02646838.2023.2180142

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Women pregnant after previous perinatal loss: relationships between adult attachment, shame, and prenatal psychological outcomes

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Women pregnant after previous perinatal loss: relationships between adult attachment, shame, and prenatal psychological outcomes

Julia Caldwell, Pamela Meredith, Koa Whittingham, Jenny Ziviani and Trish A Wilson

Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, Vol.42(4), pp.653-667

2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2023.2180142

PMID: 36800926

Appears in UniSC Diversity and Inclusion Research Collection

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https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2023.2180142View

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Abstract

perinatal grief

pregnancy after loss

self-blame

Shame

social connectedness

UniSC Diversity Area - Life Stages

Background: Insecure adult attachment, shame, self-blame, and isolation following perinatal loss place bereaved women at risk of adverse psychological outcomes, which can impact child and family outcomes. To date, no research has considered how these variables continue to influence women’s psychological health in pregnancy subsequent to loss. Objective: This study explored associations between prenatal psychological adjustment (less grief and distress) and adult attachment, shame, and social connectedness, in women pregnant after loss. Method: Twenty-nine pregnant Australian women accessing a Pregnancy After Loss Clinic (PALC) completed measures of attachment styles, shame, self-blame, social connectedness, perinatal grief, and psychological distress. Results: Four 2-step hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed adult attachment (secure/avoidant/anxious; Step 1), shame, self-blame, and social connectedness (Step 2) explained 74% difficulty coping, 74% total grief, 65% despair, and 57% active grief. Avoidant attachment predicted more difficulty coping and higher levels of despair. Self-blame predicted more active grief, difficulty coping, and despair. Social connectedness predicted lower active grief, and significantly mediated relationships between perinatal grief and all three attachment patterns (secure/avoidant/anxious). Conclusions: Although avoidant attachment and self-blame can heighten grief in pregnancy after loss, focusing on social connectedness may be a helpful way for prenatal clinicians to support pregnant women during their subsequent pregnancy – and in grief.

Details

Title: Women pregnant after previous perinatal loss: relationships between adult attachment, shame, and prenatal psychological outcomes
Authors: Julia Caldwell (Corresponding Author) - Southern Cross University
Pamela Meredith (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Occupational Therapy
Koa Whittingham (Author) - University of Queensland
Jenny Ziviani (Author) - University of Queensland
Trish A Wilson (Author) - Mater Mothers' Hospital
Publication details: Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, Vol.42(4), pp.653-667
Publisher: Routledge
Date published: 2024
DOI: 10.1080/02646838.2023.2180142
ISSN: 1469-672X
PMID: 36800926
Organisation Unit: School of Health - Occupational Therapy; Thompson Institute; Cancer Research Cluster
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99711798902621
Output Type: Journal article

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2 Times Cited - Web of Science

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Psychology, Multidisciplinary

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