Psychosocial Needs of Women in the Perinatal Grief Process and Their Attitudes Toward Digital Support Systems: A Descriptive Study

Büşra Özer; Şengül Yaman Sözbir

doi:10.59124/guhes.1918376

Psychosocial Needs of Women in the Perinatal Grief Process and Their Attitudes Toward Digital Support Systems: A Descriptive Study

Abstract

Perinatal loss is a multidimensional and often socially unrecognized experience that can profoundly affect women’s psychological well-being, social functioning, and quality of life. Although psychosocial consequences of perinatal grief are well documented, access to structured bereavement support remains limited in Türkiye. Digital support systems may offer accessible and stigma-free alternatives; however, empirical evidence regarding their role in perinatal grief is scarce. This study aimed to evaluate psychosocial challenges among women following perinatal loss and to examine their attitudes toward digital support systems. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted online via social media platforms. The sample included 91 women aged 18 years and older who had experienced perinatal loss within the previous year. Data were collected using the Perinatal Grief Scale (PGS), SF-36 Quality of Life Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and Digital Health Literacy Scale. Descriptive statistics and path analysis were performed using SPSS 27.0 and LISREL 8.80. Participants demonstrated high levels of grief (mean PGS: 105.57±16.68). Most had not received professional support yet reported positive attitudes toward digital support. Path analysis indicated that perceived social support and digital support use were associated with lower grief levels, whereas higher grief was linked to poorer general health-related quality of life. Perinatal grief remains a significant psychosocial burden. Digital support systems may represent a feasible and accessible approach to enhance psychosocial well-being among bereaved women.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Primary Health Care, Health Services and Systems (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Büşra Özer ^*
0000-0003-1702-2348
Türkiye

Şengül Yaman Sözbir
0000-0001-9870-5161
Türkiye

Publication Date

April 30, 2026

Submission Date

March 29, 2026

Acceptance Date

April 9, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 8 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.59124/guhes.1918376

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA88ZG83HS

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Özer, B., & Yaman Sözbir, Ş. (2026). Psychosocial Needs of Women in the Perinatal Grief Process and Their Attitudes Toward Digital Support Systems: A Descriptive Study. Journal of Gazi University Health Sciences Institute, 8(1), 22-33. https://doi.org/10.59124/guhes.1918376

AMA

1.Özer B, Yaman Sözbir Ş. Psychosocial Needs of Women in the Perinatal Grief Process and Their Attitudes Toward Digital Support Systems: A Descriptive Study. GUHES. 2026;8(1):22-33. doi:10.59124/guhes.1918376

Chicago

Özer, Büşra, and Şengül Yaman Sözbir. 2026. “Psychosocial Needs of Women in the Perinatal Grief Process and Their Attitudes Toward Digital Support Systems: A Descriptive Study”. Journal of Gazi University Health Sciences Institute 8 (1): 22-33. https://doi.org/10.59124/guhes.1918376.

EndNote

Özer B, Yaman Sözbir Ş (April 1, 2026) Psychosocial Needs of Women in the Perinatal Grief Process and Their Attitudes Toward Digital Support Systems: A Descriptive Study. Journal of Gazi University Health Sciences Institute 8 1 22–33.

IEEE

[1]B. Özer and Ş. Yaman Sözbir, “Psychosocial Needs of Women in the Perinatal Grief Process and Their Attitudes Toward Digital Support Systems: A Descriptive Study”, GUHES, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 22–33, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.59124/guhes.1918376.

ISNAD

Özer, Büşra - Yaman Sözbir, Şengül. “Psychosocial Needs of Women in the Perinatal Grief Process and Their Attitudes Toward Digital Support Systems: A Descriptive Study”. Journal of Gazi University Health Sciences Institute 8/1 (April 1, 2026): 22-33. https://doi.org/10.59124/guhes.1918376.

JAMA

1.Özer B, Yaman Sözbir Ş. Psychosocial Needs of Women in the Perinatal Grief Process and Their Attitudes Toward Digital Support Systems: A Descriptive Study. GUHES. 2026;8:22–33.

MLA

Özer, Büşra, and Şengül Yaman Sözbir. “Psychosocial Needs of Women in the Perinatal Grief Process and Their Attitudes Toward Digital Support Systems: A Descriptive Study”. Journal of Gazi University Health Sciences Institute, vol. 8, no. 1, Apr. 2026, pp. 22-33, doi:10.59124/guhes.1918376.

Vancouver

1.Büşra Özer, Şengül Yaman Sözbir. Psychosocial Needs of Women in the Perinatal Grief Process and Their Attitudes Toward Digital Support Systems: A Descriptive Study. GUHES. 2026 Apr. 1;8(1):22-33. doi:10.59124/guhes.1918376