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Professional bereavement photography for perinatal loss: A mixed-methods study.
Kitty Vivekananda1, Chiara McDowell1, Kayleigh Knipe1
1School of Educational Psychology and Counselling, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
Death Studies
|July 25, 2023
Summary
Professional bereavement photography is highly valued by parents experiencing perinatal loss. These photos validate grief, affirm identities, and foster connections, aiding the grieving process and increasing social acceptance.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal loss and grief studies
- Psychological impact of bereavement photography
- Family and identity validation
Background:
- Limited research exists on the impact of professional bereavement photography for perinatal loss.
- Understanding parental needs and experiences is crucial for support.
- Perinatal loss significantly impacts parents' psychological well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the acceptability and impact of professional bereavement photography for parents experiencing perinatal loss.
- To explore how bereavement photography influences grief enfranchisement and continuing bonds.
- To inform practice guidelines for supporting bereaved parents.
Main Methods:
- Mixed-methods research design combining online surveys (n=504) and semi-structured interviews (n=31).
- Quantitative data on parental attitudes and satisfaction with bereavement photography.
- Qualitative data exploring the lived experiences and perceived benefits of photography.
Main Results:
- High levels of acceptability and satisfaction reported by parents, including diverse backgrounds.
- Photography was found to be valuable in validating grief, parental identities, and infant identities.
- Sharing photos correlated positively with attitudes toward photography and continuing bonds.
Conclusions:
- Professional bereavement photography is a valuable tool for parents navigating perinatal loss.
- The practice supports grief enfranchisement, identity validation, and the formation of continuing bonds.
- Findings support the integration of bereavement photography into perinatal loss support services.
