Perinatal paternal grief: legitimate suffering in a context of social invisibility

Abstract

Perinatal paternal grief remains an invisible phenomenon, often silenced by gender norms that assign men the role of support and emotional restraint. This study aimed to review national and international literature on men’s experiences of perinatal death, exploring their emotional, social, and cultural manifestations as well as coping strategies. An integrative review was conducted across seven international and Latin American databases, covering publications from 2000 to 2025. Nine studies met the inclusion criteria, carried out in different countries and predominantly qualitative in design. Thematic analysis of the findings identified three main axes: the emotional and subjective experience of grief, marked by intense feelings of sadness, helplessness, and guilt; social invisibility and delegitimization, in which men were perceived mainly as companions to mothers rather than as bereaved subjects; and coping and meaning-making strategies, including silence, isolation, early return to work, religiosity, and symbolic bonds with the baby. The results highlight that paternal suffering is shaped by sociocultural expectations that restrict its expression and limit access to appropriate care. It is concluded that more scientific production on the subject is needed, especially in Brazil, as well as the development of public policies and clinical protocols that recognize men as legitimate protagonists in the perinatal grief process, fostering social validation of the experience and inclusive care practices.