1. Objectifs

Intentions :
«[T]he present study examined the associations between perinatal losses, psychological symptoms and parenting stress among mothers and fathers 6-months after the birth of a subsequent healthy child. [It] also examined whether parents who have experienced at least one perinatal loss before the birth of their child showed more psychological symptoms and parenting stress compared to parents who have not experienced a perinatal loss. Differences between mothers and fathers and interactions between parents’ gender and perinatal losses in the prediction of psychological symptoms and parenting stress were also examined.» (p. 339)

Questions/Hypothèses :
«The history and number of perinatal losses were expected to be related to higher levels of psychological symptoms and parenting stress among both mothers and fathers.» (p. 339)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
«A total of 184 parents from intact families (92 mother-father dyads) living in a Canadian city and having a 6-month-old biological infant (51% boys) participated in this study. Participants were recruited from lists of parents applying for Provincial Parental Insurance Plan (PPIP ) benefits. [T]he final sample includes 91 mothers and 87 fathers.» (p. 339)

Instruments :
Questionnaires

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

«Regarding the psychological consequences of perinatal losses, [the authors] first observed associations between the number of experienced perinatal losses and psychological symptoms. The results demonstrated that psychological symptoms increased as the number of losses increased. Results also revealed that parents who have experienced at least one perinatal loss presented higher levels of both psychological symptoms and parenting stress. Regarding gender differences, [the authors] observed that mothers reported more psychological symptoms than fathers, but the relation between perinatal losses and psychological outcomes was comparable among fathers and mothers. Thus, the results suggest that both men and women who experienced at least one perinatal loss are at greater risk of psychological problems even after the birth of a subsequent healthy child.» (p. 341-342) In conclusion, «[g]iven the fact that few services are available for both mothers and fathers after a perinatal loss, [the authors think that] more efforts need to be made at national and international levels to set up appropriate services and to develop psychological and therapeutic interventions for people experiencing a perinatal loss […].» (p. 342)