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Fathers' grief when a disabled child dies
Death Studies
|March 9, 2002
Summary
Fathers grieving the loss of a child with a disability experience a "double loss." They often cope with grief through activity and emotional stoicism, differing from typical parental bereavement.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Grief Studies
- Family Studies
Background:
- Parental bereavement is a significant life event.
- Limited research exists on the specific grief experiences of fathers, particularly those who have lost a child with a disability.
Observation:
- This qualitative study explored the subjective grief experiences of eight fathers who lost a child with a disability.
- Data were collected through interviews and the Grief Experience Inventory (GEI).
Findings:
- Quantitative results from the GEI showed fathers' grief responses were not significantly different from other bereaved parents.
- Qualitative data revealed a subjective experience of "double loss"—the child's disability and subsequent death.
- Fathers reported greater emotional stoicism and utilized activity-based coping strategies, aligning with gendered bereavement patterns.
Implications:
- Clinical interventions should acknowledge the unique
- double loss
- experience for fathers grieving a child with a disability.
- Professionals should be aware of gender differences in coping mechanisms and support preferences.
- Therapeutic approaches may need to incorporate non-verbal and activity-based coping strategies for grieving fathers.