MISCARRIAGE - IS VIVIDNESS OF VISUAL-IMAGERY A FACTOR IN THE GRIEF REACTION OF THE PARTNER

Objectives. In the context of recent findings concerning the unexpress ed psychological reactions of men to their partner's miscarriage, this study explores the role of visual imagery in mediating this reaction. Design. Questionnaire data from 158 male partners of women who had mi scarried prior to the stare of the 25th week of pregnancy were collect ed with a view to exploring the relation of vividness of visual imager y within this cohort to their subsequent grief response. Methods. Volu nteers recruited via referrals from general hospitals and general prac tices in the North East and Midlands regions of England, were administ ered the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire, a modified object- specific form, ie. the Baby Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire, and the Perinatal Grief Scale. Results. It was found that men with 'u nvivid' visual imagery were less likely to have seen an ultrasound sca n of their unborn child. When men were compared by the length of gesta tion at which the miscarriage occurred there was not a significant dif ference in vividness of visual imagery. Those men exhibiting vivid ima gery exhibited significantly higher levels of measured grief when thei r partner miscarried than those of lower or unvivid imagery. Conclusio ns. These findings suggest chat vivid visual imagery assisted or orien ted men towards a sense of baby (or perceived foetal ontology) early i n pregnancy, and in consequence they appeared at greater risk of negat ive impact following their partner's miscarriage.