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Childhood bereavement following parental death
1Department of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, UK.
Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines
|November 18, 2000
Summary
Childhood bereavement is complex, with one in five children developing psychiatric disorders after parental death. This review explores factors influencing vulnerability and identifies research gaps.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Child Development
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Parental death significantly impacts children's psychological well-being, leading to varied outcomes.
- Grief, distress, and dysphoria are common in the year following bereavement.
- Boys exhibit higher rates of emotional and behavioral difficulties post-bereavement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify variables moderating and mediating psychological disturbance in bereaved children.
- To highlight limitations and gaps in current childhood bereavement research.
- To outline necessary theoretical and methodological advancements for understanding childhood bereavement.
Main Methods:
- This study is a literature review.
- It synthesizes existing research on psychological outcomes following parental death in children.
- It analyzes moderating and mediating factors influencing vulnerability.
Main Results:
- Psychological outcomes are heterogeneous, with a significant proportion of children developing psychiatric disorders.
- Nonspecific emotional and behavioral difficulties are frequently reported by children and parents.
- Boys appear more vulnerable to reported difficulties.
Conclusions:
- Understanding individual differences in children's responses to parental loss is crucial.
- Further research is needed to address identified limitations and gaps in the literature.
- Advancing theoretical frameworks and research methodologies will enhance our comprehension of childhood bereavement.