Standard care practices and psychosocial interventions aimed at reducing parental distress following stillbirth : a systematic narrative review
Crispus Jones, Helen McKenzie-McHarg, Kirstie Horsch, Antje
Crispus Jones, Helen
McKenzie-McHarg, Kirstie
Horsch, Antje
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Looked After Children's Psychology Service, Ealing; South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust; University Hospital Lausanne, Switzerland
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Publication date
2015-05-22
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Abstract
Objective: To summarise and critically evaluate the evidence informing the provision of standard care practices and psychosocial interventions following stillbirth. Background: Stillbirth is increasingly recognised as a significant bereavement experience with the potential to cause substantial psychological distress for parents. Standard care practices and psychosocial interventions to support parents have undergone dramatic changes, with limited basis in evidence. Methods: A systematic narrative review was conducted of quantitative studies examining interventions designed to reduce psychological distress in parents following the loss of a stillborn baby. Results: Twenty-five studies met the inclusion criteria for the review. Substantial methodological weaknesses were identified among reviewed studies, including small and heterogeneous loss samples, weak study designs and lack of clarity in reported methods and outcomes. Inadequate replication of many findings substantially limits the generalisability of the evidence. Conclusion: Tentative evidence was found for the provision of mementoes of the baby and information regarding the cause of the loss, support group attendance, and cognitive behavioural interventions for parents identified with clinical levels of distress. Contradictory findings for the impact of contact with the baby prevent the formation of clear conclusions for this practice. Due to the methodological weaknesses prevalent in the research identified, the current evidence base is not considered sufficiently able to reliably inform care practices and intervention approaches. High-quality research evidence in this field is urgently required.
Keywords: stillbirth; perinatal loss; interventions; care; evidence-based practice; parents
Citation
Crispus Jones H, McKenzie-McHarg K, Horsch A. Standard care practices and psychosocial interventions aimed at reducing parental distress following stillbirth: A systematic narrative review. J Reprod Infant Psychol. 2015;33(5):448-465. doi:10.1080/02646838.2015.1035234.
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Article