The impact of traumatic and stressful life events on the relatives of trauma-exposed adults with severe or moderate intellectual disabilities: “Each time a piece of your strength breaks off”

BACKGROUND: Adults with severe or moderate intellectual disabilities frequently experience traumatic events, placing them at higher risk for trauma-related disorders. Although these events also affect their relatives, their experiences have not been studied. METHOD: Thematic analysis was conducted on interviews with eight first-degree relatives of adults with severe or moderate intellectual disabilities who had experienced traumatic events, as identified through a trauma interview. RESULTS: Four themes emerged: (1) the impact varied, with some relatives developing trauma-related symptoms; (2) characteristics of events in terms of severity and frequency, accompanied by feelings of helplessness, guilt, and inadequacy; (3) coping strategies, including social support, persevering and avoidance; and (4) the link between impact and long-term care for the client, potentially increasing relatives' susceptibility to complaints. CONCLUSION: Professionals must be aware of the effects of trauma on relatives of individuals with severe or moderate intellectual disabilities. Further research needs to explore differences among relatives.