Life events, social support, and children's competence after parent and sibling death

The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether children's competence after a parent or sibling death is related to stressful life events and the social support which occur around the time of a death. The sample consisted of 37 children between the ages of 7 and 15 years old who lost a sibling or parent by death 1 to 4 years previously. Study variables were measured through parent completion of mailed questionnaires. Life events, parent support, and support by other people were examined in relation to children's current cognitive, social, physical, and behavioral competence. Stressful life events were found to be related differentially to the four aspects of children's competence. Neither parental support nor support by others was associated with any of the competence dimensions.