Exploring Gender Differences in Adult Siblings' Recollections on Perinatal Loss.

Abstract

This study is an exploration on potential gender differences in sibling grief over perinatal loss. 30 adult siblings' recollections were analysed to identify possible differences along the instrumental-intuitive continuum. A statistical analysis (ANOVA) on word frequencies indicated that the intensity of the emotional experiences did not differ between men and women, as there were not any significant differences in the function words reflecting such contents. Women referred to third persons, the delivery process, and the act of naming their deceased siblings more frequently. A subsequent qualitative context analysis revealed that these third persons were mainly family members and hospital staff. Men were more specific in their recollections, mentioning exact names and other types of data related to the loss while women focused more on the emotional significance of the experience. Our results may contribute to the development of personalized interventions for families struggling with disenfranchised grief.