ORCID Profile
0000-0002-4717-7220
Current Organisation
Deakin University
Does something not look right? The information on this page has been harvested from data sources that may not be up to date. We continue to work with information providers to improve coverage and quality. To report an issue, use the Feedback Form.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.JOGN.2019.02.001
Abstract: To summarize and synthesize extant literature on memory making in bereavement care for parents who experience the death of a newborn and to identify opportunities for future research. We conducted a systematic search of four health-related databases (MEDLINE Complete, CINAHL Complete, Embase, and PsychINFO) for original research in January 2019. We then conducted a manual search of the reference lists of all included articles and a citation search via Scopus. Selection criteria initially included all original research articles available in English that related to parents' perceptions of perinatal or neonatal palliative care or bereavement care for parents after the death of a newborn. These criteria were refined as we developed familiarity with the available literature. Our initial screening of article titles and abstracts yielded 287 articles for full-text review. After full-text analysis, we included all 25 qualitative or mixed method research articles that met selection criteria. We used a spreadsheet modeled on the Joanna Briggs Institute Review Guidelines (2015) for data extraction. Available research was focused primarily on parents' perceptions of care during and after the death of their newborns. Memory making interventions emerged as significant elements of the experiences of bereaved parent. Several researchers examined parents' perceptions of specific memory making interventions, such as bereavement photography. Contact with the newborn, opportunities for caregiving, bereavement photography, and the collection or creation of mementos emerged as important elements of memory making. Parents also identified a need for guidance about each of these key strategies for memory making. We identified few studies focused entirely on memory making as an intervention in the context of bereavement care for parents. However, memory making emerged as a recurring theme throughout qualitative and mixed method studies on parents' perceptions of perinatal or neonatal end-of-life care. Further research is required to provide evidence to guide memory making interventions for bereaved parents who experience the death of a newborn.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2021
DOI: 10.1016/J.PEDN.2021.03.013
Abstract: Neonatal palliative care guidelines increasingly recommend that parents be encouraged to provide care for their dying baby and to spend time with the before and after death. However, little is currently known about how parents perceive such memory-making interventions. This study explored the significance of memory-making for bereaved parents and the impact of memory-making on parents' experience of neonatal end-of-life care. We conducted extended interviews with 18 parents who had experienced neonatal loss. Corbin and Strauss' grounded theory method was used throughout s ling, data collection and data analysis. A constant comparative approach was utilised throughout each stage of the data collection/data analysis process, resulting in the development of a grounded theory titled "Affirmed Parenthood". The core category of "Affirmed parenthood" was underpinned by three primary categories: 'Creating Evidence', 'Needing Guidance' and 'Being a parent'. Opportunities to parent the baby by having contact with them, engaging with them, and providing care were central to parent's experiences of memory-making in the context of neonatal bereavement. 'Being a Parent' provided important affirmation of the baby's identity and importance, and affirmed the role of the parents. 'Being a Parent' was a critical element of memory-making and had a significant impact on parents' experience of loss. Parents should be supported to have unrestricted contact with their baby, to engage with them, and to provide care throughout the baby's brief life and after their baby's death.
No related grants have been discovered for Rebecca Thornton.