Fathers' grief when a disabled child dies

This qualitative study examines the subjective experience of fathers' grief responses to the death of a child with a disability. Eight fathers were in terviewed and completed the Grief Experience Inventory (GEI). GEI results i ndicated that fathers did not differ significantly from parents who lose a child in other ways. However, subjectively fathers consistently reported th at their bereavement was marked by a "double loss": disability and then dea th. Consistent with the literature on gender differences in bereavement, fa thers reported greater emotional stoicism and used activity, rather than ta lk or social support, as a primary coping strategy. Clinical implications f or professionals working with grieving men or with couples are discussed.