Grief in the shadows: exploring loss and bereavement in people with developmental disabilities.
A greater understanding of how developmentally disabled people cope with loss and bereavement is needed to improve assessment and intervention for these individuals. Misconceptions exist about how effectively developmentally disabled persons can articulate their perceptions and feelings about traumatic experiences, death, and the subsequent impact of the events that follow. The lived experience and expression of grief may differ for the developmentally disabled population. As a result, their reactions may not be adequately recognized, interpreted, or managed therapeutically, compounding their distress. Three case reports of developmentally disabled individuals who experienced a loss are presented, along with helpful guidelines regarding assessment and intervention.
Clements
Paul
P
University of New Mexico, College of Nursing, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131-0001, USA. Pclements@salud.unm.edu
Focht-New
Ginny
G
Faulkner
Martha J
MJ
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001293:Attitude to Death; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D003142:Communication; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000150:complications / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006117:Grief; D006293:Health Promotion; D006379:Helping Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control