Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Men’s Grief Experiences Following Perinatal Death in Australia

Abstract

To explore the grief experiences of men from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds following perinatal death in Australia. Qualitative analysis of interview data using thematic analysis. Participants were health service providers (n = 6), and CALD community members (n = 10) who were either community leaders with experience working with CALD men following perinatal death in Australia (n = 6), or were CALD men who had lived experience of perinatal death (n = 4). Thematic analysis identified four themes related to CALD men’s grief. These included the role of religion and rituals, grief as stoic, the partner- and family-centred nature of men’s grief, and finally grief as ensuring and changeable over time. This research points to the strong need for CALD men’s specific needs to be included in the development of policy and practice surrounding perinatal death.