PARENTAL GRIEF OF A PERINATAL LOSS - A COMPARISON OF INDIVIDUAL AND RELATIONSHIP VARIABLES

This study focuses an the comparison of individual variables of bereav ement, depression, and stress with variables associated with the coupl e relationship, including cohesion, adaptability, communication, satis faction, and partner support. In total, 24 couples completed self-repo rt instruments within 2 weeks after a miscarriage. Mothers had signifi cantly stronger grief reactions than fathers. Fathers and mothers perc eived their relationships similarly as highly functional. Except for m others' depression and their satisfaction with the couple relationship , the correlations between, individual and relationship variables were rather weak. Implications of the results for family professionals are discussed.