Effects of a child's death on the marital relationship: A preliminary study

Grief following termination of pregnancy for fetal abnormality: does marital intimacy foster short-term couple congruence?

“…It should be underscored that although both partners lose a child there can be 279 disparities in the meaning of the loss for each parent (Gilbert & Smart, 1992). It is 280 important for clinicians to assess and discuss the reasons behind men's lack of overt 281 manifestations, as women may interpret it incorrectly (e.g., that men do not care about the 282 loss of the baby; Schwab, 1992). Couples who acknowledge and accept these differences 283 have been shown to be more able to share their feelings with each other (Beutel et al, 284 1996; Schwab, 1992).…”

“…It is 280 important for clinicians to assess and discuss the reasons behind men's lack of overt 281 manifestations, as women may interpret it incorrectly (e.g., that men do not care about the 282 loss of the baby; Schwab, 1992). Couples who acknowledge and accept these differences 283 have been shown to be more able to share their feelings with each other (Beutel et al, 284 1996; Schwab, 1992). 285 Matthiesen, 1987), in a time when many couples feel socially isolated (Gilbert, 1989).…”

Couple’s Relationship After the Death of a Child: A Systematic Review

“…A previous literature review showed that noticing the spouse's response to the loss may not only activate similar reactions in an individual but may also generate distress due to the perceived inability to prevent the partner's suffering (Schwab, 1992). Thus, following the death of a child, adjustment is not only a matter of individual grief; it is also a product of relational processes of mourning (Walsh & McGoldrick, 2004) and encompasses intrapersonal and interpersonal processes.…”

Exploring the Increased Odds of Divorce Following Miscarriage or Stillbirth

“…Prior researchers note an increase in marital tension following the loss of a child that is related to gender differences in grieving patterns between partners (Alderman, Chisholm, Denmark, & Seibold, 1998;Littlewood, Cramer, Hoekstra, & Humphrey, 1991;Schwab, 1992). Incongruent grief can cause strain on a marriage as each spouse deals with loss in his or her own way (de Montigny, Beaudet, & Dumas, 1999;Puddifoot & Johnson, 1999).…”