Perinatal Grief in Latino Parents

Abstract

Extensive research exists that describes the meaning of perinatal loss to some parents, but the experience of loss from the perspective of Latino parents is not clearly understood. Additionally, current perinatal bereavement practices used often to facilitate memory-making for parents (such as viewing or holding the baby, taking photographs, or collecting mementos) are based upon research done primarily with non-Latino families. Are these common practices appropriate for this population? Because there is a paucity of research on this topic, this article describes what has been written over the past 30 years on the topic of grief and perinatal loss in Latino culture.

Perinatal bereavement: a principle‐based concept analysis

“…Whitaker et al (2010) call for more research on perinatal bereavement in the Latino community to describe the experience and determine appropriate support interventions. We agree with Wright (2011) that more research is needed to build empirically derived theory specific to the experience of perinatal bereavement to inform further research and practice, ultimately resulting in improved care for bereaved mothers.…”

“…Much is still unknown about the perinatal bereavement experience with regard to various racial, ethnic and culturally diverse groups, as much of the empirical research has been done with White, married couples. Whitaker et al (2010) call for more research on perinatal bereavement in the Latino community to describe the experience and determine appropriate support interventions. We agree with Wright (2011) that more research is needed to build empirically derived theory specific to the experience of perinatal bereavement to inform further research and practice, ultimately resulting in improved care for bereaved mothers.…”

Parent Grief 1–13 Months After Death in Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Units

“…Many Hispanic families believe in a spiritual and psychological continuity with the dead, a continuing relationship, nurtured by prayer, manifested in home shrines, candle lightings, graveside visits and formal mourning (Brooten et al, 2016; Clements et al, 2003; Lobar, Youngblut, & Brooten, 2006). Grief is resolved by the adaptation and life-long revision of the relationship between the deceased and the living (Whitaker et al, 2010). Blacks also hold a belief in maintaining continuity with the deceased and the passing of the deceased to another life.…”

“…Research to date has focused largely on parents whose child died outside of the hospital. Despite the US’s growing racial/ethnic diversity, studies of differences in grief for White, Black and Hispanic parents after their child’s death are lacking (Kavanaugh & Hershberger, 2005; Laurie & Neimeyer, 2008; Whitaker, Kavanaugh, & Klima, 2010). Many studies are qualitative (Boyden, Kavanaugh, Issel, Eldeirawi, & Meert, 2014) or cross sectional (Lannen, Wolfe, Prigerson, Onelov, & Kreicbergs, 2008; Michon, Balkou, Hivon, & Cyr, 2003) and most have been conducted with samples of mainly White mothers (Youngblut & Brooten, 2012).…”

The role of religious beliefs in pregnancy loss

“…As religion and spirituality is a necessity shared between Latino parents, nurses should ask them if they are willing to visit any priests or attend any praying ceremonies for supporting their lost babies. [ 27 ]…”