The role of family and close social relationships in the narratives of Israeli women who experienced stillbirt

Abstract

This thesis examines the social context of stillbirth and its impact on women's life and on their relationships with their family members. The study sample includes 8 adult women from Israel. Israel is a country characterized by a high number of children in families and the centrality of religion in society. The methodology used in this study was semi-structured interviews. Our results were similar to those of previous studies in terms of the partner's attitude to the event. On the other hand, the results included novel findings regarding other family members' coping with the stillbirth event. Solidarity and other types of empathy were found to be relevant according to women's stories; whereas some filial norms were met with more ambivalent responses. This thesis demonstrates the importance of intergenerational solidarity, the mass influence of cultural context and ambivalence within everyday situations and the meaning of empathy from close family members. Particular attention needs to be paid to the intergenerational perspective, which focuses on the family (couple, divorced or single units) or the wider society in which they live. Moreover, the experience of particular social groups further exploration; for instance, single mothers and surrogates.