title: Posttraumatic growth following pregnancy termination for fetal abnormality: the predictive role of coping strategies and perinatal grief.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Research about termination for fetal abnormality (TFA) suggests that it is a traumatic event with potential negative psychological consequences. However, evidence also indicates that following traumatic events individuals may experience growth. Although TFA's negative psychological outcomes are well documented, little is known of the potential for growth following this event. Therefore, the study's objectives were to measure posttraumatic growth (PTG) post-TFA, examine the relationship between PTG, perinatal grief and coping, and determine the predictors of PTG.
  
  
  METHODS
  An online, retrospective survey was conducted with 161 women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eligible participants were women over 18 who had undergone TFA. Participants were recruited from a support organisation. They completed the Brief COPE, Short Perinatal Grief Scale and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. Data were analysed using regression analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Moderate levels of PTG were observed for "relating to others," "personal strengths" and "appreciation of life." "Positive reframing" was a significant predictor of PTG. Despite using mainly "adaptive" coping strategies, women's grief levels were high.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  "Adaptive" coping strategies such as, "positive reframing" are relevant to TFA. They may act as protective factors against distress and as foundations for growth, implicating that interventions such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, which aim to reframe women's experience, may be beneficial.
authors.affiliation: a School of Human & Social Sciences , University of West London , Brentford , UK.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lafarge
authors.affiliation: b Executive Department , University of Derby , Derby , UK.
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.affiliation: c School of Human & Social Sciences , University of West London , Brentford , UK.
authors.forename: Pauline
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fox
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000523:psychology*; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000002:abnormalities*; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Termination of pregnancy; coping strategies; fetal abnormality; perinatal grief; posttraumatic growth; trauma