Relations between Social and Institutional Support and Women’s Adjustment Following Pregnancy Loss

Introduction: Extant research supports relationships between pregnancy loss and psychological adjustment. Some evidence suggests that the gestational length of the lost pregnancy may impact social and institutional support and women’s experience of psychological symptoms following loss. The present study examined the potentially buffering role of perceived social and healthcare support on the relation between gestational age and symptoms of depression, grief, posttraumatic stress, and anxiety.

Methods: Sociodemographic and reproductive characteristics were also examined. Recruitment and data collection of 149 participants (76 experienced miscarriages, 73 stillbirth) occurred via Amazon Mechanical Turk.

Results: Less perceived social and healthcare support and greater gestational length were found in relation to more symptoms of several psychological difficulties following pregnancy loss. Women who experienced miscarriage (≤ 20 weeks’ gestation) were older and maternal age was an important covariate in most study models. Among women who experienced miscarriage, there was a buffering effect of perceived social support on all types of symptoms of psychological maladjustment.

Discussion: These findings highlight the need for broad screening of psychological symptoms following pregnancy loss and provision of social support to facilitate adjustment. Additional practical implications and directions for future research are highlighted.