Presenters & Advisers
Catherine Overson '06 
Perinatal Loss: Possible Caregiver Barriers
As a nurse in the Labor and Delivery unit of Elliot Hospital in Manchester, Cathy Overson sees firsthand the distress of bereaved parents experiencing a pregnancy or newborn loss. As a psychology major, she wanted to explore the factors contributing to nurses’ experiences as they care for these patients.
With the help of a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF), Overson evaluated the role of nurses’ anxiety levels in this setting. Her results suggested that offering a mentoring program and supportive counseling to nurses who care for these patients might be beneficial.
"Implementing the study and interpreting the results provided me with invaluable experience that I can carry along to my graduate activities," says Overson.
A three-time URC participant, Overson finds that presenting "adds a sense of credibility and acknowledgement that my research has value."
In addition to presenting, Overson published her findings in Inquiry, UNH’s journal of undergraduate research. Read it online at: www.unh.edu/inquiryjournal.
