Perinatal Bereavement Photography: A Mixed-Methods Study on Posttraumatic Growth in Parents

Perinatal death is a devastating loss for parents, often exacerbated by the lack of social support. There is accumulating evidence that perinatal bereavement photography is a valuable memory-making tool to support parents experiencing perinatal loss. However, very few studies have examined posttraumatic growth (PTG) concerning perinatal loss and bereavement photography. This mixed-methods study aims to investigate predictors of PTG for parents using bereavement photography. The sample consisted of 489 parents in Australia and New Zealand using professional perinatal bereavement photography. Quantitative data were gathered through an anonymous online survey. Qualitative data were gathered from 36 parents through recorded semistructured interviews. Quantitative results indicate that engagement with and sharing photographs within a supportive environment and having a spiritual orientation were significant predictors of PTG. The overarching theme of Meaning making was constructed through reflexive thematic analysis of qualitative interview data. Participants reported bereavement photography as humanizing the loss of their baby and wanting their baby's death to have meaning through legacy making and parents having increased compassion for other parents. Bereavement photos provide a tangible means for parental grief to be validated and facilitates ongoing meaning making from the loss.