Mothers bereaved by stillbirth, neonatal death or sudden infant death syndrome - Frances M. Boyle

The experience of stillbirth, neonatal death or sudden infant death syndrome(SIDS) may have a profound and lasting impact on families. Focusing on bereaved mothers, this book provides a comprehensive account of the longer-term psychosocial impact of peri-natal and infant death. Findings are reported from a longitudinal community-based Australian study of 194 bereaved mothers who completed interviews at 2, 8, 15, and 30 months after their baby?s death and 203 non-bereaved mothers interviewed at similar times. - - Individual chapters focus on mental health, chronic distress, the couple?s relationship, subsequent pregnancies and earlier-born children. Features of the women?s social environment are shown to be particularly important for bereavement outcome, raising implications for the support of bereaved mothers. - The book will be of particular interest and use to health professionals and researchers from a range of disciplines who seek to advance their understanding of the bereavement process and the support needs of the bereaved.