When Baby Stops Breathing: Analysis of Mothers' Interviews
Deborah Stiffler1, Deborah Cullen2, Evelyn Stephenson3
1Indiana University, Indianapolis, USA dstiffle@iu.edu.
Clinical Nursing Research
|December 15, 2015
Summary
Sudden unexplained infant death profoundly impacts mothers, causing extreme emotional shock and feelings of blame. Understanding these experiences is crucial for improving infant safety and nursing care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Sudden unexplained infant death (SUID) accounts for 14% of infant mortality in Indiana.
- Understanding the maternal experience of SUID is vital for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe mothers' lived experiences following the sudden and unexpected death of an infant.
- To identify key themes in maternal grief and coping after SUID.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative research utilizing semi-structured interviews with mothers in central Indiana.
- Meta-aggregation of 16 de-identified interview cases analyzed using the Joanna Briggs Institute's Thematic Analysis Program.
Main Results:
- Three synthesized themes emerged: Extreme Emotional Shock, We Feel Like We're to Blame, and Working Toward Moving On.
- Mothers reported profound grief, self-blame, and a gradual process of coping and adaptation.
Conclusions:
- Maternal experiences of SUID are characterized by intense emotional distress and a sense of responsibility.
- Informing nursing practice and policy with these insights may help reduce risks and support grieving families.
Keywords:
infant mortalityinfant suffocationpublic health nursingqualitative researchsudden unexplained deathMore Related Videos
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