Thanatophobia, Hopelessness and Emotional Stability after Perinatal Lose (Mothers) their Baby: Mediatory Role of Religious Coping

Abstract

This research explores the intricate relationships among thanatophobia, hopelessness, and emotional stability in bereaved mothers experiencing perinatal loss, with a particular focus on the mediating role of religious coping. Perinatal loss, encompassing miscarriage, stillbirth, and neonatal death, profoundly impacts mothers, leading to intense grief, anxiety, and feelings of hopelessness. The study posits that mothers who have endured such losses may develop thanatophobia—an anxiety regarding death—leading to a sense of hopelessness that affects their emotional stability. Drawing on established theories and empirical studies, the research aims to establish the connections between these variables, hypothesizing that thanatophobia will positively correlate with hopelessness while negatively correlating with emotional stability. Additionally, it investigates the mediating effect of religious coping, hypothesizing that religious beliefs can offer emotional support and resilience in the face of such trauma. The methodology involves a correlational research design with a sample of 270 bereaved mothers recruited through purposive sampling from hospitals in Punjab, Pakistan. Various validated instruments are employed to measure thanatophobia, hopelessness, emotional stability, and religious coping. Data analysis will utilize SPSS, incorporating bivariate correlation and hierarchical regression analysis to test the proposed hypotheses. Results are expected to reveal significant relationships among the variables, contributing to a deeper understanding of the psychological impact of perinatal loss and the potential role of religious coping in mitigating negative outcomes. This study seeks to highlight the importance of targeted psychological support for bereaved mothers, emphasizing the need for healthcare professionals to address the emotional complexities associated with perinatal loss.