title: Fathers' grief when a disabled child dies.
abstract: This qualitative study examines the subjective experience of fathers' grief responses to the death of a child with a disability. Eight fathers were interviewed and completed the Grief Experience Inventory (GEI). GEI results indicated that fathers did not differ significantly from parents who lose a child in other ways. However, subjectively, fathers consistently reported that their bereavement was marked by a "double loss": disability and then death. Consistent with the literature on gender differences in bereavement, fathers reported greater emotional stoicism and used activity, rather than talk or social support, as a primary coping strategy. Clinical implications for professionals working with grieving men or with couples are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Kindering Center, Bellevue, Washington, USA.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Milo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019988:Children with Disabilities; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005220:Fathers / Q000523:psychology; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D012737:Sex Factors; D014481:United States