Paterson, Shaw James
(2020)
How might parish ministers (and other pastoral care givers) better support women who have experienced an early miscarriage?
DPT thesis, University of Glasgow.
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Abstract
One quarter of pregnancies end in miscarriage, and eighty percent of these occur early during pregnancy. Yet, there is a lack of research in this area and particularly into the pastoral care offered or desired. This research project has, at its heart, the practical theological intention to identify how ministers (and other pastoral care givers) might offer better and more appropriate care and support to women after miscarriage.
Adopting an action research and feminist methodological approach, semi-structured interviews with twelve women were conducted. The women reported their experiences of early miscarriage and the absence of support received. Their narratives were presented in I-Poem form and, from their recommendations for future pastoral practice, four main themes emerged: that ministers should make contact, acknowledge the loss, listen, and respond appropriately. These findings were shared, by way of an educational intervention, with three groups of ministers to encourage reflection on their practice. These ministers’ responses were also analysed and reflected upon in order to develop concrete recommendations for further pastoral, theological and ecclesial engagement with the challenges surrounding pregnancy loss.
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