Internet forums following a miscarriage: a place for women in particular pain?

Natalène Séjourné (1, 2) , J. Fagny (2) , F. Got (2) , P. Lacroix (2) , C. Pauchet (2) , L. Combalbert (2)

1 CERPP - Centre d'études et de recherches en psychopathologie
2 CERPPS - Centre d’Etudes et de Recherches en Psychopathologie et Psychologie de la Santé

Objective: Miscarriage is a frequent event, but one which might be particularly difficult to cope with. The main aim of this study was to explore the features of the women using Internet forums following a miscarriage. Methods: A sample of 211 women who experienced miscarriage and who use the Internet completed an online questionnaire. Sociodemographic data were gathered and three scales were completed: the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Texas Grief Inventory adjusted to miscarriage and the Dyadic Adjustment Scale. Results: Our results show that these women reported a great amount of pain compared to a more standard sample. Interestingly, our findings show that while women reported wishing to be supported, only a few of them sought such support. Conclusion: Further study focusing on support for women who experience miscarriage must be developed and Internet-based programmes are warranted.

Keywords: exploratory study; Internet forum; mourning; depression; anxiety; Miscarriage

Domains: Cognitive science; Psychology

Natalène Séjourné, J. Fagny, F. Got, P. Lacroix, C. Pauchet, et al.. Internet forums following a miscarriage: a place for women in particular pain?. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 2015, 34 (1), pp.28 - 34. ⟨10.1080/02646838.2015.1079601⟩. ⟨hal-01926401⟩