Bereavement and grief in adults with learning disabilities

Abstract

This paper reports on the follow-up of a cohort of parentally bereaved adults with learning disabilities. To investigate whether significant psychopathology, present up to 2.1 years after the death, had resolved five years later. Of an original sample of 50 adults with learning disabilities, 41 were reassessed. The Aberrant Behaviour Checklist and the Psychopathology Instrument for Mentally Retarded Adults were re-administered to carers. At follow-up, there was a small increase in the measures of aberrant behaviour. Measures of psychopathology showed improvement, and in particular there was a reduction in anxiety. The response to bereavement by adults with learning disabilities is similar in type, though not in expression, to that of the general population. Learning disability is a significant predictor of mental health problems following bereavement. Participants adapted more easily when basic emotional needs had been constructively met by carers.