| Abstract [eng] |
Abstract: Miscarriage is the most common pregnancy complication, affecting approximately 1 in 4 women. Research shows that women who had a miscarriage feel isolated, face symptoms of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, are at risk of divorce, and lack psychological support. Drama therapy experiences of women who had a miscarriage have not been studied in Lithuania yet. Purpose: To describe drama therapy experiences of women who had a miscarriage. Objectives: 1. To review the biopsychosocial problems of women who had miscarriages. 2. To review the application of drama therapy to people who had traumatic experiences, who experience loss and grief. 3. To analyze and describe drama therapy experiences of women who had a miscarriage. Methods: The method of inductive thematic analysis according to Braun and Clarke (2006) was applied in this qualitative research. Data were obtained using a semi-structured interview. Participants: Adult women, who have experienced a miscarriage (n=4). Results: Thematic analysis revealed three themes: "Miscarriage – a life event causing a crisis", "Healing power of relationship with a group in drama therapy", "Drama therapy: a helping hand in grieving and self-discovery". Conclusions: This study revealed that miscarriage survivors experienced drama therapy as a very appropriate type of therapy which allowed them to express difficult feelings through verbal and non-verbal means, mourn, accept and release their experience. A significant therapeutic aspect of drama therapy for miscarriage survivors was the support of other women who had similar experiences. Women experienced drama therapy as a way to stabilize mood, psychological and physiological health, to self-analyze, learn new behavior patterns, communicate with partners about miscarriage and perform personal mourning rituals. |
