Lafarge, Caroline ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2148-078X, Mitchell, Kathryn and Fox, Pauline ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0046-4940 (2017) Posttraumatic growth following pregnancy termination for fetal abnormality: the predictive role of coping strategies and perinatal grief. Anxiety, Stress and Coping, 30 (5). pp. 536-550. ISSN 1061-5806

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Abstract

Background: Research about termination for fetal abnormality (TFA) suggests that it is a traumatic event with potential negative psychological consequences. However, evidence also indicates that following traumatic events individuals may experience growth. Although TFA’s negative psychological outcomes are well documented, little is known of the potential for growth following this event. Therefore, the study’s objectives were to measure posttraumatic growth (PTG) post-TFA, examine the relationship between PTG, perinatal grief and coping, and determine the predictors of PTG.

Design: An online, retrospective survey was conducted with 161 women.

Methods: Eligible participants were women over 18 who had undergone TFA. Participants were recruited from a support organisation. They completed the Brief COPE, Short Perinatal Grief Scale and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. Data were analysed using regression analyses.

Results: Moderate levels of PTG were observed for “relating to others,” “personal strengths” and “appreciation of life.” “Positive reframing” was a significant predictor of PTG. Despite using mainly “adaptive” coping strategies, women’s grief levels were high.

Conclusions: “Adaptive” coping strategies such as, “positive reframing” are relevant to TFA. They may act as protective factors against distress and as foundations for growth, implicating that interventions such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, which aim to reframe women’s experience, may be beneficial.

Item Type:	Article
Identifier:	10.1080/10615806.2016.1278433
Additional Information:	© 2017 Taylor & Francis. This is an Author's Accepted Manuscript of an article published in Anxiety, Stress, & Coping, available online at: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/10615806.2016.1278433.
Keywords:	Termination of pregnancy, fetal abnormality, posttraumatic growth, trauma, coping strategies, perinatal grief
Subjects:	Psychology
Depositing User:	Caroline Lafarge
Date Deposited:	20 Dec 2016 16:38
Last Modified:	06 Feb 2024 15:51
URI:	https://repository.uwl.ac.uk/id/eprint/3013

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