Nursing the disenfranchised: women who have relinquished an infant for adoption |
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| Authors: | J. A. ALOI ms rn cne |
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| Affiliation: | Assistant Professor of Nursing, School of Nursing, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, USA, and doctoral student in Medical Humanities at Drew University, Madison, NJ, USA |
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| Abstract: | Grief that occurs as a result of relinquishing an infant for adoption is explored. Traditional grief models are cited as ineffectual for the satisfactory resolution of grief resulting from the relinquishment of a child for adoption. The reasons for disenfranchised grief are described and narratives of personal interviews provide insight into the grief process of birthmothers and evidence of their disenfranchisement. The role of psychiatric-mental health nurse is discussed and interventions aimed at assisting the birthmother to grieve are suggested. |
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| Keywords: | adoption disenfranchised grief mothers relinquishment |
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