The Invisible Loss: the Impact of Perinatal Death on Siblings

Abstract

The impact of perinatal death on surviving siblings has been virtually unexplored. After reviewing the effects of perinatal loss on the bereaved parents, its impact on remaining children is discussed. Perinatal sibling death is considered an event with impact determined by the interaction of the child's emotional and cognitive responses with the reactions, distortions, and communications of the parents. Four distinct constellations integrating intrapsychic and family responses to perinatal death are elaborated. Ways in which parents can help their children deal with perinatal loss are discussed. A flexible approach to treatment is recommended in which individual child therapy, parental therapy and/or family therapy may all be used, depending upon the etiology and locus of the difficulty.