Witnessing Disenfranchised Grief and Social Connectedness in Mothers of Differently Abled Children

This study investigated the relationship between witnessing disenfranchised grief and social connectedness among Indian mothers of differently abled children who had experienced complicated deliveries or miscarriages. Employing a correlational research design and regression analysis with a purposive sample of 39 mothers, this study utilized the Witnessing Disenfranchised Grief Scale and the Social Connectedness Scale-Revised. The results indicated a moderate positive correlation between witnessing disenfranchised grief and social connectedness (r = .470, p < .01). Regression analysis revealed that witnessing disenfranchised grief significantly predicted social connectedness, accounting for 22% of the variance (β = .305, SE = .094, t = 3.236, p = .003). These findings suggest that when mothers perceive that their grief is related to raising a differently abled child, as acknowledged by others, they report stronger social bonds. However, the limited variance explained highlights the influence of other factors on social connectedness. The implications of these findings underscore the importance of validating these mothers’ unique grief experiences in fostering social engagement and enhancing their well-being.