Date
9-17-2026
Department
School of Behavioral Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling (EdD)
Chair
Brandon Simmons
Keywords
Birth trauma, COVID-19, pandemic, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, trauma, depression, birth partner
Disciplines
Counseling
Recommended Citation
McEachern, Mary Rose, "Male Birth Trauma Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study" (2026). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 8950.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/8950
Abstract
The year 2020 was characterized by the sudden onslaught of the COVID-19 virus, which resulted in the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic led to increased use of healthcare resources and healthcare professionals were overwhelmed with the additional responsibilities and necessary measures to protect themselves and patients. Hospital protocols were restrictive during the pandemic and these restrictions led to changes in patient care, heightened anxiety and fear of contracting this illness, and limited hospital visitation. The pandemic may have led to increased gynecological interventions during pregnancy and birth, leading to birth-related trauma. The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study is to explore the lived experiences of male birthing partners who witnessed their partners’ traumatic childbirths.
