Men’s experience of miscarriage and subsequent family planning.

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Breaking the silence: Men’s experience of miscarriage and subsequent family planning.

  • IRAS ID

    239121

  • Contact name

    Suzanne McGarva

  • Contact email

    T8015502@live.tees.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    Teesside University

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    1 years, 3 months, 30 days

  • Research summary

    Miscarriage continues to be an all too common experience within society. Research into men’s experiences is notably sparse. This qualitative study aims to explore the experience of miscarriage in men when their partner has miscarried. The aims of the research are as follows:

    •To better understand the experience of miscarriage from the male perspective in today’s society.
    •To explore areas of good practice and any suggestions for improvements to healthcare during and following miscarriage.
    •To explore the process and narratives around family planning following miscarriage.

    Answering a recruitment email posted on the charity,Tommy's website, ten men will be participate in a semi-structured telephone interview provided they have met the following inclusion criteria:

    1.Male.
    2.Live in the UK.
    3.Experienced miscarriage before 24 weeks gestation.
    4.Experienced miscarriage during the past two years.
    5.Commitment to 1 telephone interview lasting between 30-90 minutes.
    6.18 years or older
    7.May or may not have accessed healthcare support (NHS and/or Private)alongside their partner

    The interviews will be transcribed verbatim and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) as described by Smith, Flowers and Larkin (2009). Much of the literature around the experience of miscarriage is focussed on women, this study answers calls for more research about how men experience miscarriage. Existing research exploring the experience of family planning following miscarriage is sparse. This study will address this empirical gap. The findings may offer insights for medical, healthcare and mental health practitioners providing services in miscarriage as well as identifying areas of current good practice and/or recommendations. The findings may assist those whose job it is to educate future mental health professionals about the significance and psychological impact of miscarriage.

  • REC name

    North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 2 Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    18/NE/0207

  • Date of REC Opinion

    17 Jul 2018

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion