Quality of life, social support and self-efficacy in women after a miscarriage

Grażyna Iwanowicz-Palus,Mariola Mróz,Agnieszka Bień

doi:10.1186/s12955-020-01662-z

Abstract

BackgroundPregnancy loss is typically experienced as a traumatic, critical event, which may lead to secondary psychological health disorders. Its burden involves both the experience of loss and related medical issues, which are associated with pain, hospitalization, limitation in one’s social roles, decreased sense of security, and changes in one’s perceived quality of life. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate levels of quality of life (QoL), social support and self-efficacy among women who had suffered a miscarriage.MethodsThe study was performed using a diagnostic survey method with questionnaires administered to 610 patients hospitalized due to spontaneous pregnancy loss in hospitals in Lublin (Poland). The instruments used were: the Berlin Social Support Scales (BSSS), the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), the WHOQoL–BREF questionnaire, and a standardized interview questionnaire.ResultsRespondents rated their overall quality of life (3.90 points) higher than their overall perceived health (3.66). In terms of social support, the highest scores were noted for perceived available instrumental support (M = 3.78), perceived available emotional support (M = 3.68) and actually received support (M = 3.60). The mean generalized self-efficacy score among the women after pregnancy loss was 30.29. Respondents’ QoL was significantly correlated with multiple social support subscales and self-efficacy (p < 0.05).ConclusionsWomen after a miscarriage perceive their overall quality of life as better than their overall health, while reporting the poorest QoL in the psychological domain. They also have a high level of self-efficacy. Regarding the types of social support, perceived available support, both instrumental and emotional, and actually received support was rated highly. Social support and self-efficacy contributed to better perceived QoL among the respondents.

Highlights

Pregnancy loss is typically experienced as a traumatic, critical event, which may lead to secondary psychological health disorders
Considering the impact and complexity of pregnancy loss, with its multiple health-related, psychosocial and economic consequences, the present study aimed to evaluate the levels of quality of life (QoL), social support and self-efficacy in women who had experienced a miscarriage
Such a comprehensive assessment is especially important in patients who have lost a pregnancy, as this experience entails a number of consequences, physical, and psychological and social, and at times, even financial

Summary

Introduction

Pregnancy loss is typically experienced as a traumatic, critical event, which may lead to secondary psychological health disorders Its burden involves both the experience of loss and related medical issues, which are associated with pain, hospitalization, limitation in one’s social roles, decreased sense of security, and changes in one’s perceived quality of life. In Poland, a miscarriage is defined as the loss of pregnancy before the 22nd week of gestation or Pregnancy loss is typically experienced as a traumatic, critical event, which may lead to secondary psychological health disorders This burden involves both the experience of loss and related medical issues, which are associated with pain, hospitalization, limitation in one’s social roles, decreased sense of security, and changes in one’s perceived quality of life (QoL) [4,5,6,7,8,9,10]. Alongside one’s personal competences, sense of control and coherence, selfefficacy is another personal resource that influences the effectiveness of support [12,13,14]

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