Overcoming Grief in Thai Women Experiencing Perinatal Death: A Grounded Theory Study

Nedruetai  Punaglom; Puangpaka Kongvattananon; Bih-Ching Shu

Authors

Nedruetai Punaglom RN, Boromarajonani College of Nursing Nakhon Phanom, Nakhonphanom University, Nakhon Phanom, Thailand.
Puangpaka Kongvattananon RN, PhD, Department of Family Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing, Thammasat University Pathumthani, Thailand.
Bih-Ching Shu RN, DrPH, Institute of Allied Health Sciences, Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.

Keywords:

Culture, Cognitive adaption, Grief, Perinatal death, Women, Grounded theory

Abstract

Thai women grieving over perinatal death are usually judged and evaluated negatively due to a belief that sinfulness is attached to the spirit of mothering. Women suffer self-blame and stigmatization that disturbs the grieving process. This grounded theory study aimed to construct a descriptive theory to explain the process of overcoming grief in Thai women experiencing perinatal death. Twenty-five north-eastern Thai women experiencing perinatal death were recruited by purposive sampling to provide the initial data, then the researcher undertook theoretical sampling to develop codes, categories, and additional information. Each in-depth interview lasted 45-60 minutes and was conducted at the participants’ homes between September 2020 and March 2021 until data saturation. Constant comparative analysis with open, axial, and selective coding was applied. The results revealed four major processes: perception of loss and grief, cultural cognitive adaptation, acceptance, and overcoming grief. Importantly, cultural cognitive adaptation was the core category existing in the process of overcoming grief in Thai women experiencing perinatal death.
In conclusion, the results were conceptualized to explain the culture and context influencing women’s grieving process. This substantive theory emerged gradually through the passage of time in which women honed themselves through painful events caused by perinatal death resulting in women’s ability to reach their capacity to move through their grief. Based on the results, particular beliefs in religious doctrines, and supernatural powers can be applied to develop effective nursing and health interventions for women to work through grief smoothly and successfully.

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