Abstract
Background: People with intellectual disabilities are thought to have a reduced capacity for understanding death. Drawing on cognitive theory, researchers have suggested that those with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities mainly perceive loss as a mismatch between past and present experiences. However, very little research has considered how carers conceptualise bereavement in relation to this group.
Method: Semi-structured interviews obtained responses from 7 carers. Transcripts were examined using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results: Two super-ordinate themes emerged: ‘difficulty articulating the experience of loss’ and ‘making sense of bereavement through familiar patterns’.
Conclusions: Carers conceptualise bereavement primarily in cognitive terms, but also take account of relational factors mediating loss. Implications for training and further research are outlined.
Method: Semi-structured interviews obtained responses from 7 carers. Transcripts were examined using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results: Two super-ordinate themes emerged: ‘difficulty articulating the experience of loss’ and ‘making sense of bereavement through familiar patterns’.
Conclusions: Carers conceptualise bereavement primarily in cognitive terms, but also take account of relational factors mediating loss. Implications for training and further research are outlined.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1035-1044 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities |
Volume | 30 |
Issue number | 6 |
Early online date | 24 Aug 2016 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 11 Oct 2017 |
Keywords
- profound intellectual and multiple disabilities
- bereavement
- carer
- family
- grief