Grief and bereavement in people with intellectual disabilities

The aim of this article is to present and synthesize recent research on grief and bereavement in people with intellectual disabilities, incorporating relevant studies with the general population.

Work in the general population is currently focusing on achieving greater clarity in our understanding of typical and atypical reactions to grief. Although much of this research is relevant to people with intellectual disabilities, this group also presents unique challenges. These include variation in understanding of death, a continuum of grief reactions including pathological or complicated grief, and additional demands faced by professional carers and staff working in this area. However, the research activity is somewhat limited in that it has relied on small-scale studies.

The possible recognition of prolonged grief disorder as a distinct clinical entity will have a significant impact on research and intervention of people with pathological or complicated grief. To date, no prospective study of grief and bereavement has been conducted among people with intellectual disabilities. This is essential to best understand the course of grief and complicated grief in people with intellectual disabilities and minimize the levels of functional impairment.