The loss of self: The effect of miscarriage, stillbirth, and child death on maternal self-esteem. Issue 4 (21st April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wonch Hill, Patricia; Cacciatore, Joanne; Shreffler, Karina M.; Pritchard, Kayla M.
• Is Part Of: Death studies. Volume 41:Issue 4(2017)
• Page Start: 226
• Page End: 235
• Publication Date: 2017-04-21
• Subjects: Death -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Terminal care -- Periodicals; Death -- Moral and ethical aspects -- Periodicals; 306.9
• DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2016.1261204
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0748-1187

Abstract

ABSTRACT: A child's death augments how grieving parents view the world, the family, and the self. Using a representative sample of women ages 25–45 who have ever given birth, we assessed whether miscarriage, stillbirth, and child death impact self-esteem and whether this loss is moderated by maternal identity. We found that stillbirth and child death, but not miscarriage, negatively impacted self-esteem. For those who experienced a loss, the impact on self-esteem was moderated by maternal identity. Women who experienced a stillbirth were the only group who had significantly lower self-esteem after controlling for background characteristics and maternal identity variables.