Perinatal Grief Scale (PGS)

Description

The Perinatal Grief Scale (PGS) is an assessment tool used to measure the feelings of grief and loss experienced by parents after the loss of a child during the perinatal period (i.e., from conception to birth). The scale focuses on understanding the psychological impacts of this experience, as well as assessing the level of grief experienced by parents.

Analysis and Use of Data

Data analysis from the Perinatal Grief Scale includes:

Scoring: Participants rate their feelings on a Likert scale. Higher scores indicate a greater level of grief.

Descriptive Statistics: Calculation of mean and standard deviation to determine the overall sense of grief in a population.

Correlation: Examination of the correlation between the level of grief and factors such as age, gender, or previous loss experiences.

Comparative Analysis: Comparisons between different groups (e.g., parents who have experienced different types of loss) to understand differences in grief experience.

Objective

The objective of the Perinatal Grief Scale is to understand the psychological impact of losing a child during the perinatal period and to provide data that will help develop supportive interventions for parents experiencing this loss.

Calibration

The calibration of the Perinatal Grief Scale involves the process of adjusting the tool for use in various populations. This is achieved through:

Cross-Cultural Studies: The scale is tested in different cultural contexts to ensure its appropriateness and accuracy.

Reliability Analysis: Techniques such as Cronbach’s alpha are used to ensure that the questions are consistent and reliably measure grief.

Validity Testing: Verification that the scale reflects the real experiences of participants regarding their loss.

References

Field, N. P. (1996). The Perinatal Grief Scale: A Measure of Grief Related to the Loss of a Baby. Death Studies, 20(2), 89-110.

Levy, J. & Becker, M. (2009). Grieving the Loss of a Baby: The Role of the Perinatal Grief Scale. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 27(4), 373-385.