Journal article
The Process Model of Stigmatized Loss: Identity-Threatened Experiences of Bereaved Mothers
QUALITATIVE HEALTH RESEARCH, v 33(14), p1262
Dec 2023
PMID: 37848195
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Despite almost one-third of women suffering from the loss of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss, it is surprising how little research examines how such loss affects the identity and stigmas experienced by these individuals. Through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with bereaved mothers (in particular, mothers who lost a baby during pregnancy or within one year after birth), this research sheds light on the bereaved mother's experiences after loss. Specifically, this research applies the identity-threat model of stigma to showcase the process of stigmatized loss. Based on our findings, we also introduce the process model of stigmatized loss that can apply to all types of stigmatized loss. Key themes emerged as we explored stigmatized loss discourses. These include situational cues that trigger stigma, identity-based responses that aim to preserve both a baby's and mother's identity, as well as nonvolitional and volitional responses that help restore control and reconstruct identity. Additionally, other themes revolve around positive and negative outcomes stemming from avoiding stigmatized identity activation and identification of triggers that initiate a recursive process through stigmatized baby loss. Importantly, stigma can be perceived as both an identity threat (negative) and an identity confirmation (positive). Findings inform theory and practice alike.
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Details
- Title
- The Process Model of Stigmatized Loss: Identity-Threatened Experiences of Bereaved Mothers
- Publication Details
- QUALITATIVE HEALTH RESEARCH, v 33(14), p1262
- Publisher
- SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC; THOUSAND OAKS
- Grant note
- This research was generously funded by the Star Legacy Foundation and an ACR-AMA research grant on transformative consumer research. All data are available by request from the first author. This research is motivated by and dedicated to Solomon Onyx Minton who died at three weeks old in January 2021. The authors thank Ron Hill, Three Hopeful Hearts, the Star Legacy Foundation, Eliza Fay, participants from our research study, and Daniel and Katherine Minton for helpful feedback on versions of this manuscript.
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Drexel University
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001084172700001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85174310242
- Other Identifier
- 991021861205804721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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Source: SDGs in the Output
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Information Science & Library Science
- Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
- Social Sciences, Biomedical
- Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary