Attitudes to Bereavement and Intellectual Disabilities in an Irish Context

Abstract

Background The influence of grief and bereavement on the lives of people with intellectual disabilities is currently receiving much interest. Many of the long-standing rituals associated with bereavement are still practised in Ireland, probably more than in many other Western countries. The present authors were interested in studying the experience of bereavement for people with intellectual disabilities in Ireland, and in making international comparisons. Method This mixed method study was carried out using two questionnaires. The first was used to study national service and organisational approaches to bereavement. The second questionnaire (based on Murray et al. 2000) was used to study a staff group working in Ireland, assessing staff knowledge and understanding of the grieving process. The results were compared with a UK staff group who were assessed using the same questionnaire (Murray et al. 2000). ResultsStaff and service attitudes were found to be very positive in supporting people with intellectual disabilities who have been bereaved. There is considerable understanding of the needs of bereaved individuals, and there is a high level of support in the participation in grief rituals. When compared with a UK staff group, Irish staffs were more inclined to encourage individuals to take part in bereavement rituals, though they had less actual experience in supporting bereaved people. Only one service had written bereavement guidelines. Conclusions There appears to be cultural differences in the experience of bereavement for people with intellectual disabilities. This is important in the context of staff training and policy development in grief and bereavement.

How Adults With an Intellectual Disability Experience Bereavement and Grief: A Qualitative Exploration

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A study of complicated grief symptoms in people with intellectual disabilities

“…People with intellectual disabilities (ID) experience feelings of grief and sadness following a bereavement (Dowling et al . 2003), and their behaviour and mental health can deteriorate (Hollins & Esterhuyzen 1997; Dodd et al . 2005).…”

Variations of the toxic potential of drinking water containing propyphenazone before and after chlorine disinfection

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