Neonatal Death: Grief and Support Experiences of Fathers in the Australian Context

Abstract

The death of a baby in the neonatal period has significant adverse physical and psychological impacts on parents. Research concerning neonatal death primarily focuses on the experiences of mothers, with limited research available examining the grief and support experiences of fathers. To fill this gap in the literature, using a qualitative research design, nine fathers were interviewed regarding their experiences of grief and support, including any barriers or facilitators in accessing support, following the death of their baby in the neonatal period. Thematic analysis resulted in four overarching themes. Findings indicated that neonatal death is an intense emotional experience that can impact all aspects of a father’s life. Fathers who could access the support they required found these supports to be helpful in coping with their grief. Overall however, supports were perceived to be inadequate in both variety and availability, with greater follow-up support from the hospital desired. Fathers highlighted limited opportunities to make emotional connections with others and a strong desire to talk about their baby. Future research can expand on the current knowledge by examining the experiences of fathers in culturally diverse samples, and gender and sexuality diverse samples. The results of this study contribute to developing a better understanding of how healthcare professionals and support organisations can effectively assist fathers in coping with grief after the death of their baby, by increasing the variety of supports available and facilitating referrals to sources of support after leaving the hospital setting.