Posttraumatic growth after perinatal loss: A systematic review

Abstract

Perinatal loss is a potentially painful event for parents and a grief that is often not recognised socially. Research has widely shown that grief responses can coexist with posttraumatic growth responses. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the available evidence of studies investigating posttraumatic growth in people who have suffered a perinatal loss. A search was conducted in PROQUEST and Web of Science for articles published from 2011 to 2021. After reviewing 10 selected articles, it was found that the participants showed moderate levels of posttraumatic growth, mostly in the domains of personal strength, relationships with others, appreciation of life, and to a lesser extent in the perception of new possibilities and spiritual growth. Factors that facilitated the growth experience were finding meaning in the loss, changes in core beliefs, adaptive coping strategies, deliberate rumination, continued bonds with the deceased baby, and social support. It is expected that this systematic review will provide a basis for the design of future interventions aimed at promoting growth when facing perinatal loss.