title: Nursing the disenfranchised: women who have relinquished an infant for adoption.
abstract: Grief that occurs as a result of relinquishing an infant for adoption is explored. Traditional grief models are cited as ineffectual for the satisfactory resolution of grief resulting from the relinquishment of a child for adoption. The reasons for disenfranchised grief are described and narratives of personal interviews provide insight into the grief process of birthmothers and evidence of their disenfranchisement. The role of psychiatric-mental health nurse is discussed and interventions aimed at assisting the birthmother to grieve are suggested.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, USA. aloija@umdnj.edu
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Aloi
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000300:Adoption / Q000523:psychology*; D000786:Anger; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D009042:Motivation; D033262:Narration; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D035502:Trust