Impact of Perinatal Loss Among Adolescent Parents

A phenomenological approach was used to explore, describe, and understand the impact of perinatal loss among adolescent parents. This qualitative phenomenological study explored the psychological, grieving, female, and male development, pregnancy loss, miscarriage, and stillbirth and parenting experiences of adolescent parents with perinatal loss. Eight participants met the criteria sample of individuals who currently or within twenty-four months experienced the loss of a child by miscarriage or stillbirth. Data collection took place using face-to-face or telephone interviews validated by each participant individually. The results identified five common themes that included (a) emotional states, (b) grief responses, (c) pregnancy loss, (d) relationship, and (e) source of support. Health care providers, friends, family, and agency staff working with adolescent parents that experienced a perinatal loss must (a) provide crisis intervention and grief counseling and understand the underlying causes of grief related anger and their function in adolescents’ lives, (b) provide support, validation, and assistance in planning for the adjustment period after a perinatal loss.