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Cited by 9Grief, Bereavement, and Mental HealthFamily Dynamics and RelationshipsGender Roles and Identity Studies

Double‐Layer Masking of Suffering After Pregnancy Loss: A Grounded Theory Study from a Male Perspective

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Fernández‐Basanta, Sara, Coronado, Carmen, Movilla‐Fernández, María‐Jesús·2022·Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health
DOI 10.1111/jmwh.13353PMC PMC9545819
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Abstract

Introduction: Men can express different responses after pregnancy loss. This loss can interfere with their expectation of parenthood, new life, and future hopes. Expectations from the social construction of gender can encourage them to maintain an image that contradicts their actual feelings. This can lead to isolation, distancing, and difficulties in seeking support. The scarcity and low representation of men in previous studies makes research that captures the complexity of their experience necessary. The aim of this study was to explore how men confront the suffering caused by pregnancy loss. Methods: This study is part of a larger research project focusing on the experiences of parents and midwives following pregnancy loss. In this study, 22 cisgender and white heterosexual men who experienced pregnancy losses participated in semistructured interviews. Data were analyzed iteratively using constructivist grounded theory methods. Results: The substantive theory of double‐layer masking of suffering emerged as way to explain the confrontation of suffering after pregnancy loss from the male perspective. The themes, (1) suffering beyond physical loss, (2) rationalization in the search for meaning, and (3) keeping a façade with others, show the impact that this loss had on men, which was masked by the meaning they gave to the situation and by its social expression. Discussion: The findings provide a theoretical conceptualization of the masking these men use to deal with the suffering they experienced from this situation. These aspects provide reasons for including these individuals in the assistance given by midwives after a pregnancy loss. Collaboration between specialized and primary care, along with staff training and support, is necessary for the provision of couple‐centered care after pregnancy loss.

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  • The current line of argument contrasts with Fernández-Basanta et al. (2022), which appears to focus more on the impact of loss on a father's identity or role and how fathers used support to manage this change of role.

    “The current line of argument thus depicts a non-linear path of grief with a focus on the messiness a father may feel in the aftermath of losing a baby, which is in contrast to the line of argument presented by Fernández-Basanta et al. (2022), which appears to focus more on the impact of loss on a father's identity or role and how fathers used support to manage this change of role.”

    From Fathers’ experiences of perinatal death following miscarriage, stillbirth, and neonatal death: A meta-ethnography (2026) · cites this paper as Fernández-Basanta et al. (2022)

    In Results, “Suffering Beyond a Physical Loss” describes frustration regarding fatherhood and says that an established idea of fatherhood made some losses more shocking. “Rationalization in the Search for Meaning” says conversations with partners, relatives, friends, or professionals sometimes helped men understand the loss. It does not specifically describe fathers using support to manage a change in identity or role; that links two related findings more tightly than the paper does. (LLM, conf=0.82)

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  • The current review showed similar themes to Fernández-Basanta et al. (2022), specifically that pregnancy loss weakens a father's armor and that meaning-making by bonding with the baby is important, both reflected in the current review's findings.

    “They describe pregnancy loss weakening a father's armor and highlight the importance of the process of meaning-making by bonding with their baby, which were both reflected in the current review's findings.”

    From Fathers’ experiences of perinatal death following miscarriage, stillbirth, and neonatal death: A meta-ethnography (2026) · cites this paper as Fernández-Basanta et al. (2022)

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Research works printed but not linked: 26

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Cited by

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Authors
Fernández‐Basanta, S., Coronado, C., & Movilla‐Fernández, M.
Affiliations
Universidade da Coruña (ES)
Corresponding author
Fernández‐Basanta, Sara
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2022-03-11
Volume
67
Issue
4
Pages
470-477
ISSN
  • 1526-9523 (ISSN-L)
  • 1542-2011
DOI
10.1111/jmwh.13353
PMC
PMC9545819
OpenAlex
W4220706760
Cited by
9
References
14
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 1
FWCI
1.60
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Journal of Midwifery & Women s Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • RUC (Universidade Da Coruña) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
Universidade da Coruña
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health
  • Social Sciences › Demography › Family Dynamics and Relationships
  • Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Gender Roles and Identity Studies
Keywords
miscarriage, men's experiences, grief, coping with loss, gender construction, rationalization, meaning-making, facade, midwife support, bereavement
MeSH terms
Abortion, Induced, Female, Humans, Male, Midwifery, Parents, Pregnancy, Qualitative Research, Grounded Theory

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