Factors Involved in Posttraumatic Growth in Mothers Experiencing Fetal and Infant Death

Abstract

Factors associated with posttraumatic growth (PTG) are investigated in mothers who have suffered fetal or infant death. Mothers ( N = 66) completed the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI; Tedeschi & Calhoun, 1996 ), the Core Beliefs Inventory (CBI; Cann et al., 2010 ), and answered questions about the severity of their loss, age of fetus or infant, time since loss, social support, finding meaning, and involvement in loss-related behavior. Results indicate a greatly traumatic loss ( M = 4.41), a great degree of core belief disruption ( M = 3.57), and a moderate level of PTG ( M = 2.80). CBI scores are positively correlated with severity of the loss and age of the fetus or infant. PTGI scores are positively related to CBI scores and to social support from family and friends who have suffered similar losses and support groups. PTG and finding meaning are positively correlated with involvement in loss-related activities and supporting others.