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Perspectives of US direct care workers on the grief process of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities: implications for practice
- Authors:
- GRAY Jennifer A., ABENDROTH Maryann
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 29(5), 2016, pp.468-480.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: The study explored the grief process of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (PWIDDs) as perceived by direct care workers (DCWs) and how such workers can guide and support PWIDDs experiencing grief. Materials and Methods: A thematic analysis approach was used to examine data from nine focus groups with 60 DCWs from five community-based organizations. Results: Findings were supported in the context of seminal grief and bereavement theories. Three themes (i.e. reactions to loss, processing the loss and incorporating the loss) and related subthemes emerged from the data. Conclusions: PWIDDs are susceptible to traumatic grief, and DCWs are often key witnesses to such experiences. DCWs’ perspectives can guide the development of grief and bereavement training which can lead to more tailored support systems. (Publisher abstract)
Direct care workers' experiences of grief and needs for support
- Authors:
- GRAY Jennifer A., KIM Jinsook
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 30(6), 2017, pp.995-1006.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: A paucity of information is available on direct care workers’ (DCWs’) experiences with loss when their clients (people with intellectual and developmental disabilities [I/DD]) die. This study explored DCWs’ grief experiences, their coping methods and their needs for support. Methods: A thematic analysis approach was used to examine data from nine focus groups with 60 DCWs from five community-based organisations that provide services to people with I/DD. Results: Three themes (factors affecting DCW loss, ways that DCWs cope with loss and organisational issues affecting the bereavement experience) and associated subthemes emerged from the data. This highlighted not only DCW professional grief experiences but how organisational communication and policy affected their grief experience. Conclusions: DCWs experience grief in the workplace but may receive insufficient organisational bereavement supports. Recommendations are made for organisational policies and resources to improve organisational communication and assist DCWs in coping with their grief. (Publisher abstract)