Perinatal grief and appropriation of digital spaces

Abstract

Introduction: Perinatal grief has been socially delegitimized; it is often unrecognized or borne in silence. Consequently, families experiencing this type of grief find it difficult to find support and turn to the internet to seek alternatives in the face of their loss. The objective of this study is to understand how users of JICfundación appropriate digital platforms and social networks in this grieving process. Method: A thematic review was conducted in various languages and databases to search for the terms: perinatal grief, social appropriation, and online support networks. Digital ethnography was used to monitor posts on the Instagram profile and interactions; participant observation and semistructured interviews were also conducted. The data were analyzed using Excel matrices. Results: The study found that it is possible to create social connections, provide support during the grieving process, and feel supported through digital platforms or social networks. The narratives, participation in workshops and sessions, and rituals mediated by digital technologies have a therapeutic effect on users, and women are the most active group in these spaces. Conclusions: User engagement in online activities and sessions contributes to the reinterpretation and processing of emotions; intervention and support in perinatal grief processes can be carried out through the integration of digital tools.