Paper
Friday, July 15, 2005
Gender Differences in Grief, Depression, and Satisfaction With Support After Miscarriage
Kristen M. Swanson, RN, PhD, FAAN, Danuta Wojnar, RN, MN, MEd, Anthippy Petras, MSW, and Hsien-Tzu Chen, RN. Family and Child Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| Learning Objective #1: Describe the differences and similarities in men and women's grief and depression after miscarriage |
| Learning Objective #2: Describe the gap between men and women's satisfaction with support received from others after miscarriage |
BACKGROUND: The Lazarus model puports that individuals respond differently to events based on context and resources available. PURPOSE: This was a descriptive exploratory study (N=280 couples up to 12 weeks post miscarriage) of differences in the influence of contexts (relationship history, prior miscarriages, weeks gestation, weeks post loss, history of depression) and resources (emotional strength, satisfaction with support from mate and others, income) on the responses (depression and grief) of men and women after miscarriage. ANALYSIS: descriptive statistics, paired t-tests and stepwise multiple regression. FINDINGS: Women were more depressed than men [Means were 21.4 ± 11.8 (women) and 13.6 ± 9.0 (men) (p<.001)]. Mean grief scores were 25.6 ± 6.4 (women) and 19.2 ± 6.2 (men) (p<.001). Men and women were equally satisfied with support received from their mates. Men were less satisfied with the support received from others [Means were 44.4 ± 10.7 (men) and 50.6 ± 10.8 (women) (p<.001)]. 23.2% of the variance in women's grief and 25.8% of men's was explained. 51.5% of the variance in women's depression and 50.2% of men's was accounted for. CONCLUSION: Women are more depressed and grieve more than men after miscarriage. Men are less satisfied with the support they receive from others. IMPLICATIONS: Both men and women need to be supported after miscarrying. FUNDING: NINR R01 NR05343-04