Two months following perinatal loss, 82 mothers out of a total of 205
whose infants died at a tertiary referral obstetrical hospital and 47
of their partners were assessed with regard to their reactions to the
deaths of their infants. Sample to population comparisons indicated th
at those who participated in the investigation were more likely to be
socially advantaged. Intensity of mothers' grief exceeded fathers', bu
t in roughly 25% of cases fathers' grief exceeded mothers. Mothers wit
h higher self-reports of ego strength reported lower intensity of grie
f. Fathers with less ego strength, less social support, and more stres
sful life events had significantly higher self-reported grief. A subgr
oup of parents who reported minimal grief was identified and character
ized. Implications of these findings for research on reactions to peri
natal loss are discussed.