Gaines AG. The Grief Experiences of Children with Developmental Disabilities: A Narrative Literature Review.
OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING 2022:302228221124520. [PMID:
36138512 DOI:
10.1177/00302228221124520]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Children with developmental disabilities have wide-ranging social, developmental, and communication challenges impacting their grieving process. This narrative review examined the literature relating to the grief experiences of children with developmental disabilities to identify implications for practice and areas for future research.
METHODS
The literature review was conducted using five databases, and a hand search of dissertations with original research, due to the sparse body of published works.
RESULTS
Nine works were included in the review, which were thematically synthesized into three categories: (1) Understanding of death concepts, (2) Social-emotional responses to loss, and (3) Disenfranchised grief.
CONCLUSIONS
Children with developmental disabilities are affected by loss, even if their comprehension of death concepts is impacted by their level of disability. They may experience challenges due to changes in routines and concrete thinking, and are at risk of disenfranchised grief. Future research is needed to inform developmentally appropriate grief interventions.
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