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Cited by 97Grief, Bereavement, and Mental HealthDeath, Funerary Practices, and MourningInfant Health and Development

Psychological Changes in Parents Eight Months After the Loss of an Infant From Stillbirth, Neonatal Death, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome—A Longitudinal Study

Vance, J. C., Najman, J. M., Thearle, M. J., Embelton, G., Foster, W. J., Boyle, F. M.·1995·Pediatrics
DOI 10.1542/peds.96.5.933
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Abstract

Objective. We proposed to measure part of the natural history of grief by determining the changes in the psychological symptoms experienced by bereaved parents over the 8 months after the loss of an infant from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), neonatal death (NND), or stillbirth (SB). Parents were interviewed twice, at 2 and 8 months after the loss. Methodology. A total of 220 bereaved families (45 SIDS, 93 NND, and 82 SB) were compared with 226 control families who had a live born child. Comparison was based on responses to a standardized measure of anxiety and depression (Delusions-Symptoms-States Inventory). Results. For separate cross-sectional comparison at both 2 and 8 months, significant differences were noted in the frequency of maternal symptoms of anxiety and depression between bereaved and control groups (P < .001). Such differences were present for paternal anxiety and depression at 2 months, but not 8 months. A second series of analysis examined longitudinal changes in symptom frequency between 2 and 8 months for each bereaved group. For mothers, the changes were significant for anxiety and depression: SIDS and NND (P < .001), SB (P < .01). For fathers, the changes for anxiety and depression in SIDS were P < .01; NND, P < .05 for anxiety and P < .01 per depression; changes were not significant for SB. At 2 months, relative risks for symptoms of maternal anxiety were significant for all three bereaved groups: SIDS, 22.4; NND, 5.4; and SB, 5.1. Comparable significant figures at 8 months were: SIDS, 5.5; NND, 3.9; and SB, 3.0, respectively. For depression the results for 2 months were: SIDS, 8.6; NND, 5.9; and SB, 6.7 (all significant) while at 8 months the results were: SIDS, 5.1; NND, 3.8; and SB, 2.4 (SB group not significant). For fathers the relevant risks were generally lower. At 2 months, anxiety levels were higher than controls in all three groups, and for depression in the SIDS and SB groups. At 8 months, significant results persisted only in the SB group. Conclusion. These data indicate that bereaved parents have a marked reduction in the symptoms of mental illness over the first 8 months after the loss. Although the changes over time are significant for both mothers and fathers, mothers at 8 months still demonstrated higher levels of anxiety and depression when compared with controls. These levels of symptoms are far less evident for fathers at 8 months.

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  • Two longitudinal studies found significantly more symptoms of depression and anxiety in mothers and fathers when assessed 8 months after stillbirth compared to parents with live birth infants.

    “two longitudinal studies found significantly more symptoms of depression and anxiety in mothers and fathers when assessed 8 months after stillbirth compared to parents with live birth infants [2, 5].”

    From Depression, anxiety, PTSD, and OCD after stillbirth: a systematic review (2021) · cites this paper as [5]

  • For fathers, Vance et al. found a substantially higher risk of high depression score 2 months after stillbirth compared to controls (RR = 5.90 [95% CI 1.20-94.00]), a risk that remained stable at 8 months follow-up (RR = 6.10 [95% CI 1.20-94.00]).

    “For fathers, Vance et al. [5] found a substantially higher risk of high depression score 2 months after stillbirth compared to controls (RR = 5.90 [95% CI 1.20–94.00]), a risk that remained stable at 8 months follow up (RR = 6.10 [95% CI 1.20–94.00]).”

    From Depression, anxiety, PTSD, and OCD after stillbirth: a systematic review (2021) · cites this paper as [5]

  • Vance et al. found a risk ratio of 6.70 (95% CI 2.90-15.60) at 2 months, declining to RR = 2.40 (95% CI 0.83-6.90) at 8 months.

    “The RR was 6.70 (95% CI 2.90–15.60) at 2 months, before declining to RR = 2.40 (95% CI 0.83–6.90) at 8 months [5].”

    From Depression, anxiety, PTSD, and OCD after stillbirth: a systematic review (2021) · cites this paper as [5]

  • Fathers had close to a five-fold risk (RR = 4.70 [95% CI 1.40-15.50]) of anxiety at 2 months compared to fathers with live birth, a risk that remained high at 8 months follow-up (RR = 4.0 [95% CI 1.20-13.80]).

    “Fathers had close to a five-fold risk (RR = 4.70 [95% CI 1.40–15.50]) of anxiety at 2 months compared to fathers with live birth, a risk that remained high at 8 months follow up (RR = 4.0 [95% CI 1.20–13.80]) [5].”

    From Depression, anxiety, PTSD, and OCD after stillbirth: a systematic review (2021) · cites this paper as [5]

  • Vance et al. found a risk ratio of 5.10 (95% CI 2.70-9.50) for women with stillbirth compared to mothers with live birth at 2 months and an RR of 3.0 (95% CI 1.40-6.40) at 8 months follow-up.

    “Vance et al. [5] found a RR of 5.10 (95% CI 2.70–9.50) for women with SB compared to mothers with live birth at 2 months and an RR of 3.0 (95% CI 1.40–6.40) at 8 months follow up.”

    From Depression, anxiety, PTSD, and OCD after stillbirth: a systematic review (2021) · cites this paper as [5]

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Authors
Vance, J. C., Najman, J. M., Thearle, M. J., Embelton, G., Foster, W. J., & Boyle, F. M.
Affiliations
The University of Queensland (AU)
ORCID
Venue
Pediatrics
Publisher
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
Published
1995-11-01
Volume
96
Issue
5
Pages
933-938
ISSN
  • 0031-4005 (ISSN-L)
  • 1098-4275
DOI
10.1542/peds.96.5.933
OpenAlex
W1483499494
Cited by
97
References
14
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 2 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 7
FWCI
3.48
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • PEDIATRICS (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health
  • Social Sciences › Anthropology › Death, Funerary Practices, and Mourning
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Infant Health and Development
Keywords
stillbirth, neonatal death, sudden infant death syndrome, parental bereavement, grief, maternal anxiety, maternal depression, paternal anxiety, paternal depression, bereavement support services, grief counseling, bereavement education
MeSH terms
Anxiety, Attitude to Death, Bereavement, Depression, Fathers, Female, Fetal Death, Humans, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Mothers, Risk, Sudden Infant Death, Time Factors

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