Fathers’ grief reactions in the 12 months following perinatal loss

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  What are fathers’ grief reactions in the first 12 months following pregnancy/baby loss?

• IRAS ID

  348411

• Contact name

  Ian Fletcher

• Contact email

  i.j.fletcher@lancs.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Lancaster University

• Duration of Study in the UK

  0 years, 3 months, 0 days

• Research summary

  The study aims to better understand fathers' grief in the first 12 months following pregnancy/baby loss. Little is currently known about the impact that pregnancy/baby loss has on fathers, with fathers often reporting feeling neglected by friends, family and health professionals. This leads fathers to suppress their feelings in order to feel that they are better supporting their partner, often at the expense of their own emotions.

  Fathers who have experienced one of the following: miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death, ectopic (usually between 6-16 weeks), or termination under medical advice due to a foetal anomaly are invited to take part in the study. Their loss must have occurred in the past 12 months to participate in this study.

  Fathers have described how their masculine identity may lead them to suppress their feelings to protect their family. However, it is unknown how masculine identity affects fathers grief.
  Many fathers return to work soon after their loss, either due to financial necessity or to provide consistency during an uncertain time. However, it is currently unknown how their loss may affect their concentration, productivity, and relationships within their workplace. The current study aims to answer these gaps in the research.

  Fathers will be asked to join the study through their connected NHS service, a relevant charity or via social media. Fathers will be asked about their age, employment and loss information. They will then be asked about their grief, masculinity and job. This information will then be analysed to understand fathers grief reactions and how they cope.

  The survey is anonymous to enable fathers to answer honestly without feeling pressured to answer in a certain way. The findings from the proposed study aim to enhance our understanding of the impact of pregnancy/baby loss on fathers and offer suggestions to improve available support.

• REC name

  London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  25/PR/0491

• Date of REC Opinion

  17 Apr 2025

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion