Couples and Miscarriage: The Influence of Gender and Reproductive Factors on the Impact of Miscarriage

Abstract Objective We sought to understand the effect of gender, age, mental health history, and reproductive factors on the appraisal of miscarriage in couples. Design We conducted a secondary analysis of data from the Couples Miscarriage Healing Project. Sample We analyzed data from 341 couples who had miscarried within 3 months of the original study recruitment. Method Multifactorial analysis of variance was used to analyze baseline effects of gender, age, mental health history, infertility, number of miscarriages, living children, and gestational age on the impact of miscarriage as measured by the three subscales of the Revised Impact of Miscarriage Scale: Isolation/Guilt, Devastating Event, and Loss of Baby. Results Women scored significantly higher than men on all measures. Younger couples in whom either member had been previously treated for anxiety, depression, or grief were more likely to feel guilt and isolation over their miscarriage than those with no such history (13.30 vs. 11.64; p