{"id":{"repo_id":"southwales","oai_identifier":"oai:pure.atira.dk:studenttheses/4f608f63-634b-4d56-87c4-ae94e79792f4"},"canonical_url":"https://search.dev.ndltd.org/etd/southwales/oai:pure.atira.dk:studenttheses/4f608f63-634b-4d56-87c4-ae94e79792f4","repository":{"repo_id":"southwales","name":"University of South Wales","base_url":"https://pure.southwales.ac.uk/ws/oai"},"display":{"title":"\"I Had to Hold it All Together\": Miscarriage, Masculinity, and Men's Unmet Needs - A Reflexive Thematic Exploration","abstract":"Background
Miscarriage, defined in the UK as pregnancy loss before 24 weeks (NHS, 2022), affects up to one in five pregnancies (Koki et al., 2025), yet men’s experiences remain significantly under-researched (Obst & Due, 2021). Existing literature and clinical care predominantly prioritise women, leaving men’s perspectives marginalised (Miller et al., 2019). Research suggests that gendered expectations of stoicism and control further constrain men’s capacity to express distress or access social and/or therapeutic support (McQueen, 2017). This thesis aimed to explore men’s lived experiences of miscarriage, with attention to how they make sense of loss, navigate social and clinical systems, and encounter barriers to recognition and support, in order to inform counselling psychology practice.
Methods
A qualitative design was employed using Braun and Clarke’s Reflexive Thematic Analysis (2006, 2022). Twelve men participated, recruited though social media, professional networks, and snowball sampling. Six completed an online qualitative survey, eight undertook semi-structured interviews, and two contributed to both. Participants were aged 29-78 and all were in long-term heterosexual relationships at the time of the miscarriage, which had occurred between 2 and 28 years previously at gestations of 6-16 weeks. Data were collected through open-ended survey responses and video interviews, analysed inductively, and developed into themes through iterative reflexive engagement. Ethical approval was granted by the University of South Wales (Ref: 040302HR).
Findings
Four themes were developed:
1. “Behind Closed Doors”: The Private Reality of Men’s Hidden Pain: men internalised grief, often concealing distress and carrying unspoken memories.
2. “I Had to Hold it All Together”: Masculinity and the Performance of Strength: participants felt compelled to suppress their own needs while supporting partners.
3. “No-one Asked About Me”: Barriers to Recognition and Support: men described exclusion from healthcare encounters and neglect by family, friends, and professionals.
4. “It Stays With You”: Enduring Emotional and Relational Effects: grief persisted across time, affecting identity, mental health, and family relationships.
Discussion
Findings highlighted how miscarriage grief for men was shaped by cultural narratives of masculinity along with systemic neglect. The study demonstrated how silence and stoicism, while often framed as protective, reinforced invisibility and compounded distress. This study provides novel contribution around the visual trauma suffered by men following miscarriage, the longevity of emotional repurcussions, and also gains a unique perspective on men’s choices regarding social, healthcare and therapeutic provision. Implications for Counselling Psychology include the need to recognise men as bereaved parents, to create relationally sensitive spaces for processing grief, and to challenge restrictive gender scripts that inhibit help-seeking.
Conclusion
Men experience miscarriage as a profound yet hidden grief. Without recognition, support, and inclusion within healthcare and counselling contexts, their needs remain unmet. The study contributes to growing evidence that gender-inclusive models of perinatal loss support are urgently required, and underscores the role of Counselling Psychology in validating and responding to men’s lived experiences.","abstract_html":"<b>Background </b><br/>Miscarriage, defined in the UK as pregnancy loss before 24 weeks (NHS, 2022), affects up to one in five pregnancies (Koki et al., 2025), yet men’s experiences remain significantly under-researched (Obst & Due, 2021). Existing literature and clinical care predominantly prioritise women, leaving men’s perspectives marginalised (Miller et al., 2019). Research suggests that gendered expectations of stoicism and control further constrain men’s capacity to express distress or access social and/or therapeutic support (McQueen, 2017). This thesis aimed to explore men’s lived experiences of miscarriage, with attention to how they make sense of loss, navigate social and clinical systems, and encounter barriers to recognition and support, in order to inform counselling psychology practice. <br/><br/><b>Methods </b><br/>A qualitative design was employed using Braun and Clarke’s Reflexive Thematic Analysis (2006, 2022). Twelve men participated, recruited though social media, professional networks, and snowball sampling. Six completed an online qualitative survey, eight undertook semi-structured interviews, and two contributed to both. Participants were aged 29-78 and all were in long-term heterosexual relationships at the time of the miscarriage, which had occurred between 2 and 28 years previously at gestations of 6-16 weeks. Data were collected through open-ended survey responses and video interviews, analysed inductively, and developed into themes through iterative reflexive engagement. Ethical approval was granted by the University of South Wales (Ref: 040302HR). <br/><br/><b>Findings </b><br/>Four themes were developed: <br/>1. “Behind Closed Doors”: The Private Reality of Men’s Hidden Pain: men internalised grief, often concealing distress and carrying unspoken memories. <br/>2. “I Had to Hold it All Together”: Masculinity and the Performance of Strength: participants felt compelled to suppress their own needs while supporting partners. <br/>3. “No-one Asked About Me”: Barriers to Recognition and Support: men described exclusion from healthcare encounters and neglect by family, friends, and professionals. <br/>4. “It Stays With You”: Enduring Emotional and Relational Effects: grief persisted across time, affecting identity, mental health, and family relationships. <br/><br/><b>Discussion </b><br/>Findings highlighted how miscarriage grief for men was shaped by cultural narratives of masculinity along with systemic neglect. The study demonstrated how silence and stoicism, while often framed as protective, reinforced invisibility and compounded distress. This study provides novel contribution around the visual trauma suffered by men following miscarriage, the longevity of emotional repurcussions, and also gains a unique perspective on men’s choices regarding social, healthcare and therapeutic provision. Implications for Counselling Psychology include the need to recognise men as bereaved parents, to create relationally sensitive spaces for processing grief, and to challenge restrictive gender scripts that inhibit help-seeking. <br/><br/><b>Conclusion </b><br/>Men experience miscarriage as a profound yet hidden grief. Without recognition, support, and inclusion within healthcare and counselling contexts, their needs remain unmet. The study contributes to growing evidence that gender-inclusive models of perinatal loss support are urgently required, and underscores the role of Counselling Psychology in validating and responding to men’s lived experiences.","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Camilleri, Lynda C."],"institution":null,"degree_name":"Doctoral Thesis","degree_level":"Student thesis","degree_discipline":null,"degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":[],"advisors":["Lancastle, Deborah","Wheeler, Lucie"],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2026,"date_issued":"2026-4-16","date_published":"2026-4-16","updated_at":"2026-07-24T04:40:03Z","subjects":[],"languages":["eng"],"rights":[],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["oai:pure.atira.dk:studenttheses/4f608f63-634b-4d56-87c4-ae94e79792f4"],"render_values":[{"text":"oai:pure.atira.dk:studenttheses/4f608f63-634b-4d56-87c4-ae94e79792f4","href":null,"code":true}]}]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://pure.southwales.ac.uk/en/studentTheses/4f608f63-634b-4d56-87c4-ae94e79792f4","outbound_label":"Repository record","outbound_source":"dc:identifier"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor.advisor","label":"Advisor","values":["Lancastle, Deborah","Wheeler, Lucie"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Camilleri, Lynda C."]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date","label":"Dc Date","values":["2026-4-16"]},{"key":"dc:date.issued","label":"Date","values":["2026-4-16"]},{"key":"dc:relation.isreferencedby","label":"Dc Relation Isreferencedby","values":["https://pure.southwales.ac.uk/en/studentTheses/4f608f63-634b-4d56-87c4-ae94e79792f4"]},{"key":"dc:type","label":"Dc Type","values":["Thesis"]},{"key":"dc:type.qualificationlevel","label":"Dc Type Qualificationlevel","values":["Student thesis"]},{"key":"dc:type.qualificationname","label":"Dc Type Qualificationname","values":["Doctoral Thesis"]}]},{"id":"language_rights","label":"Language and Rights","entries":[{"key":"dc:language","label":"Dc Language","values":["eng"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["oai:pure.atira.dk:studenttheses/4f608f63-634b-4d56-87c4-ae94e79792f4","https://pure.southwales.ac.uk/en/studentTheses/4f608f63-634b-4d56-87c4-ae94e79792f4"]},{"key":"dc:identifier.uri","label":"Identifier URI","values":["https://pure.southwales.ac.uk/files/37333745/THESIS_-_30032217.pdf"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["Background
Miscarriage, defined in the UK as pregnancy loss before 24 weeks (NHS, 2022), affects up to one in five pregnancies (Koki et al., 2025), yet men’s experiences remain significantly under-researched (Obst & Due, 2021). Existing literature and clinical care predominantly prioritise women, leaving men’s perspectives marginalised (Miller et al., 2019). Research suggests that gendered expectations of stoicism and control further constrain men’s capacity to express distress or access social and/or therapeutic support (McQueen, 2017). This thesis aimed to explore men’s lived experiences of miscarriage, with attention to how they make sense of loss, navigate social and clinical systems, and encounter barriers to recognition and support, in order to inform counselling psychology practice.
Methods
A qualitative design was employed using Braun and Clarke’s Reflexive Thematic Analysis (2006, 2022). Twelve men participated, recruited though social media, professional networks, and snowball sampling. Six completed an online qualitative survey, eight undertook semi-structured interviews, and two contributed to both. Participants were aged 29-78 and all were in long-term heterosexual relationships at the time of the miscarriage, which had occurred between 2 and 28 years previously at gestations of 6-16 weeks. Data were collected through open-ended survey responses and video interviews, analysed inductively, and developed into themes through iterative reflexive engagement. Ethical approval was granted by the University of South Wales (Ref: 040302HR).
Findings
Four themes were developed:
1. “Behind Closed Doors”: The Private Reality of Men’s Hidden Pain: men internalised grief, often concealing distress and carrying unspoken memories.
2. “I Had to Hold it All Together”: Masculinity and the Performance of Strength: participants felt compelled to suppress their own needs while supporting partners.
3. “No-one Asked About Me”: Barriers to Recognition and Support: men described exclusion from healthcare encounters and neglect by family, friends, and professionals.
4. “It Stays With You”: Enduring Emotional and Relational Effects: grief persisted across time, affecting identity, mental health, and family relationships.
Discussion
Findings highlighted how miscarriage grief for men was shaped by cultural narratives of masculinity along with systemic neglect. The study demonstrated how silence and stoicism, while often framed as protective, reinforced invisibility and compounded distress. This study provides novel contribution around the visual trauma suffered by men following miscarriage, the longevity of emotional repurcussions, and also gains a unique perspective on men’s choices regarding social, healthcare and therapeutic provision. Implications for Counselling Psychology include the need to recognise men as bereaved parents, to create relationally sensitive spaces for processing grief, and to challenge restrictive gender scripts that inhibit help-seeking.
Conclusion
Men experience miscarriage as a profound yet hidden grief. Without recognition, support, and inclusion within healthcare and counselling contexts, their needs remain unmet. The study contributes to growing evidence that gender-inclusive models of perinatal loss support are urgently required, and underscores the role of Counselling Psychology in validating and responding to men’s lived experiences."]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["\"I Had to Hold it All Together\": Miscarriage, Masculinity, and Men's Unmet Needs - A Reflexive Thematic Exploration"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor.advisor":["Lancastle, Deborah","Wheeler, Lucie"],"dc:creator":["Camilleri, Lynda C."],"dc:date":["2026-4-16"],"dc:date.issued":["2026-4-16"],"dc:description.abstract":["Background
Miscarriage, defined in the UK as pregnancy loss before 24 weeks (NHS, 2022), affects up to one in five pregnancies (Koki et al., 2025), yet men’s experiences remain significantly under-researched (Obst & Due, 2021). Existing literature and clinical care predominantly prioritise women, leaving men’s perspectives marginalised (Miller et al., 2019). Research suggests that gendered expectations of stoicism and control further constrain men’s capacity to express distress or access social and/or therapeutic support (McQueen, 2017). This thesis aimed to explore men’s lived experiences of miscarriage, with attention to how they make sense of loss, navigate social and clinical systems, and encounter barriers to recognition and support, in order to inform counselling psychology practice.
Methods
A qualitative design was employed using Braun and Clarke’s Reflexive Thematic Analysis (2006, 2022). Twelve men participated, recruited though social media, professional networks, and snowball sampling. Six completed an online qualitative survey, eight undertook semi-structured interviews, and two contributed to both. Participants were aged 29-78 and all were in long-term heterosexual relationships at the time of the miscarriage, which had occurred between 2 and 28 years previously at gestations of 6-16 weeks. Data were collected through open-ended survey responses and video interviews, analysed inductively, and developed into themes through iterative reflexive engagement. Ethical approval was granted by the University of South Wales (Ref: 040302HR).
Findings
Four themes were developed:
1. “Behind Closed Doors”: The Private Reality of Men’s Hidden Pain: men internalised grief, often concealing distress and carrying unspoken memories.
2. “I Had to Hold it All Together”: Masculinity and the Performance of Strength: participants felt compelled to suppress their own needs while supporting partners.
3. “No-one Asked About Me”: Barriers to Recognition and Support: men described exclusion from healthcare encounters and neglect by family, friends, and professionals.
4. “It Stays With You”: Enduring Emotional and Relational Effects: grief persisted across time, affecting identity, mental health, and family relationships.
Discussion
Findings highlighted how miscarriage grief for men was shaped by cultural narratives of masculinity along with systemic neglect. The study demonstrated how silence and stoicism, while often framed as protective, reinforced invisibility and compounded distress. This study provides novel contribution around the visual trauma suffered by men following miscarriage, the longevity of emotional repurcussions, and also gains a unique perspective on men’s choices regarding social, healthcare and therapeutic provision. Implications for Counselling Psychology include the need to recognise men as bereaved parents, to create relationally sensitive spaces for processing grief, and to challenge restrictive gender scripts that inhibit help-seeking.
Conclusion
Men experience miscarriage as a profound yet hidden grief. Without recognition, support, and inclusion within healthcare and counselling contexts, their needs remain unmet. The study contributes to growing evidence that gender-inclusive models of perinatal loss support are urgently required, and underscores the role of Counselling Psychology in validating and responding to men’s lived experiences."],"dc:identifier":["oai:pure.atira.dk:studenttheses/4f608f63-634b-4d56-87c4-ae94e79792f4","https://pure.southwales.ac.uk/en/studentTheses/4f608f63-634b-4d56-87c4-ae94e79792f4"],"dc:identifier.uri":["https://pure.southwales.ac.uk/files/37333745/THESIS_-_30032217.pdf"],"dc:language":["eng"],"dc:relation.isreferencedby":["https://pure.southwales.ac.uk/en/studentTheses/4f608f63-634b-4d56-87c4-ae94e79792f4"],"dc:title":["\"I Had to Hold it All Together\": Miscarriage, Masculinity, and Men's Unmet Needs - A Reflexive Thematic Exploration"],"dc:type":["Thesis"],"dc:type.qualificationlevel":["Student thesis"],"dc:type.qualificationname":["Doctoral Thesis"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-24T04:40:03Z"}