Coping with Death and Bereavement: A Proactive Intervention Program for Adults with Intellectual Disability

Abstract

Introduction: People with intellectual disability (ID) experience the process of grief in the face of the loss of a loved, like the general population. However, there are a series of risk factors characteristic of this population that can hinder the development of adaptive grief, including cognitive and affective aspects. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a brief intervention program in people with ID to improve understanding of the concept of death, grief processes, and adaptive attitudes. Method: A mixed method design was used. A total of 38 people with ID participated. The variables measured were: grief, biological and cognitive concept about death. Results: The program increased understanding in dimensions of the concept of death of Inevitability and Universality, and showed a greater understanding and healthier attitudes regarding death and grief. Conclusions: It is recommended that in future research studies, education on death be worked as early as possible in people with ID, in order to prevent future pathological grief.