Burgess Amy, Murray Craig, Clancy Anna
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, Lancaster University, UK.
Aching Arms, Brentwood, UK.
Omega (Westport). 2025 Sep;91(4):1779-1806. doi: 10.1177/00302228231162736. Epub 2023 Mar 16.
This study aimed to investigate fathers' lived experiences of stillbirth through the lens of continuing bonds and use of objects. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six fathers who had experienced stillbirth from 20 weeks gestation. Interpretative phenomenological analysis revealed five themes: loss and continued bonds in a mother-mediated dynamic, objects as manifestations of relational and meaningful memories, exerting existence and continued connection to others, continued bond through physical presence and evolving expressions of love and fatherhood. Findings offer a novel understanding of the relationship between objects and continued bonds, where objects are seen to facilitate this bond through varying means, including physical manifestation of the deceased and representation of the father-infant relationship. The study places importance on fathers' involvement in creating objects permeated with meaning and memories, and of validating fathers' experiences of loss rather than considering these men merely as partners of a mother who lost their own baby.
本研究旨在通过持续纽带及物品使用的视角，调查父亲们经历死产的生活体验。对6名自妊娠20周起经历过死产的父亲进行了半结构式访谈。诠释现象学分析揭示了五个主题：在母亲介导的动态中失去与持续的纽带、作为关系性和有意义记忆表现的物品、发挥存在意义并与他人保持持续联系、通过身体在场保持的纽带以及爱与父性的不断演变的表达。研究结果为物品与持续纽带之间的关系提供了全新的理解，即物品被视为通过多种方式促进这种纽带，包括逝者的实体呈现以及父子关系的体现。该研究强调父亲参与创造充满意义和记忆的物品的重要性，以及认可父亲的丧亲经历，而不是仅仅将这些男性视为失去自己孩子的母亲的伴侣。
