Construction of Meaning in Pregnancy Loss: Qualitative Study with Brazilian Couples

Abstract We investigated the process of meaning construction in pregnancy loss in 11 Brazilian couples. The reports were submitted to inductive and deductive thematic analysis using the categorization system from the integrative model of meaning construction in grief. Regarding the original dimensions of the model (Sense-making of death, benefit from the experience of loss, and identity change), there was a lack of meaning for death, perception of strengthened bonds within the couple as a benefit, and parenting as an identity project. We propose an additional dimension (Meaning-making process) that includes gender differences, lack of social recognition, and emotional intensity of the experience. As for coping strategies, spirituality and the search for peers were identified, especially in social media. After a pregnancy loss, the process of meaning construction proved similar to that of other types of loss, validating this experience. We discuss the implications of the category system used in this study.

摘要 本研究针对11对巴西夫妇的妊娠丢失后意义建构过程展开探究。研究采用哀伤意义建构整合模型的分类体系，对受试者提供的相关报告开展归纳式与演绎式主题分析。针对该模型的原始维度（死亡意义建构（Sense-making of death）、丧失经历获益（benefit from the experience of loss）、身份转变（identity change）），研究发现受试者对死亡缺乏意义建构，将夫妇间联结的强化视作本次丧失经历的获益，且将育儿视作一项身份建构课题。本研究提出一项新增维度——意义建构过程（Meaning-making process），该维度涵盖性别差异、社会认可度缺失以及本次经历的情感强度等内容。就应对策略而言，研究发现受试者会借助灵性信念与寻求同伴支持的方式，尤以社交媒体平台中的同伴支持为甚。妊娠丢失后的意义建构过程与其他类型丧失的意义建构过程具有相似性，这一结果验证了该类经历的普遍性。本研究最后讨论了本研究所采用的分类体系的实践启示。