BIRTH MOTHER LOSS - CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO UNRESOLVED GRIEF

This study examined several key social and psychological variables tha t may impede the grief process for women who have relinquished an infa nt for adoption. 264 women, eighteen years or older, participated in t he study. A major finding of the study was that higher levels of grief were associated with the birth mother's perception that she was coerc ed into relinquishment by others. It was also found that higher levels of grief were associated with feelings of guilt and shame regarding t he decision to relinquish.