MISS Foundation : Research

Research

Published Research
Effects of Support Groups on Post Traumatic Stress Responses in Women Experiencing Stillbirth	OMEGA: The Journal of Death and Dying Issue: Volume 55, Number 1 / 2007 Pages: 71 - 90 Joanne Cacciatore - Arizona State University Abstract: This research study explores the effects of support groups on traumatic stress responses of women experiencing stillbirth. Women (N = 47) responded to a mixed method questionnaire. Quantitative results utilizing the Impact of Event Scale Revised demonstrate that women who attend support group, when controlling for time, had fewer post traumatic stress symptoms than did the women who did not attend support group. Qualitative results elucidate the role of support groups in managing grief, suggesting that connectivity with other like women may be a useful strategy in reducing problematic psychological outcomes.
Problematic emotions and maternal grief	OMEGA: The Journal of Death and Dying Issue: Volume 56, Number 4 / 2007 Pages: 329-346 Peter Barr, Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children, Sydney, Australia Joanne Cacciatore, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona, USA Abstract: The study was an exploration of the relation of personality proneness to “problematic emotions” — envy (Dispositional Envy Scale), jealousy (Interpersonal Jealousy Scale) and shame and guilt (Personal Feelings Questionnaire‑2) — to maternal grief (Perinatal Grief Scale‑33) following stillbirth, neonatal death or infant/child death. The 441 women who participated in the study were enrolled from the website, e‑mail contact lists and parent support groups of an organization that offers information and support to bereaved parents. All four problematic emotions were positively correlated with maternal grief. Envy, jealousy and guilt made significant unique contributions to the variance in maternal grief. Overall, time lapse since the most recent loss and the four problematic emotion predispositions explained 43% of the variance in maternal grief following child bereavement.
Personal Fear Of Death And Grief In Bereaved Mothers	Death Studies, In Press Peter Barr, Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children, Sydney, Australia Joanne Cacciatore, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona, USA Abstract: The study explored the relation of fear of death (Multidimensional Fear of Death Scale) to maternal grief (Perinatal Grief Scale‑33) following miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death or infant/child death. The 400 women participants were recruited from the website, e-mail lists and parent groups of an organization that supports bereaved parents. Fear of death had a statistically significant relation with maternal grief. Fear of the Unknown, Fear of Premature Death and Fear of Conscious Death made significant unique contributions to the variance in maternal grief. The fear of death operative in maternal grief seems to be the fear of personal extinction.
Stillbirth: The Mother’s Experience and Implications for Improving Care	Journal of Social Work in End of Life and Palliative Care, 3(3),59-79 Joanne Cacciatore, PhD, MSW Suzanne Bushfield, Ph.D., MSW Abstract: More children die as a result of stillbirth than all other causes of infant deaths combined (Ananth, Shiliang, Kinzler, and Kramer, 2005; Goldenberg, Kirby, and Culhane, 2004; Froen, 2005; National Institute of Health, 2004); yet, mothers experiencing stillbirth are often left bereft of support (Kubler-Ross, 2004; Fahey-McCarthy, 2003; Fletcher 2002; Saddler, 1987; DeFrain, 1986; Kirkley-Best & Kellner, 1982). Despite social work’s growing involvement in care at the end of life, parents of stillborn children have not experienced consistent, relevant, and competent professional care in coping with the tragedy of death. Forty-seven women between the ages of 19 and 51 were recruited through nonprofit agencies that provide bereavement care to grieving families. Results of this qualitative study suggest that stillbirth is emotionally complex, with long-lasting symptoms of grief and significant struggles to find meaning. The findings also support the need for perceived psychosocial and spiritual support from professional caregivers, family, and friends. The women’s own experiences argue for comprehensive approaches to support the grief and loss of stillbirth, and for the importance of social work involvement in both immediate and longer term interventions.
Current Research Projects
Research Study about Parent's Needs in NICU	Emory University, Dr. Tanya Sudia-Robinson (RN, PhD)
	MOMS Study
	Bereaved Parent Research Study

If you are conducting academic research at a Masters, Doctoral, or Post-Doc level and would like to inquire about how to involve the MISS Foundation, please email info@missfoundation.org.

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The M.I.S.S. Foundation is a nonprofit, 501(c)3, international organization which provides immediate and ongoing support to grieving families, empowerment through community volunteerism opportunities, public policy and legislative education, and programs to reduce infant and toddler death through research and education.