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Updated: Jul 27, 2026
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Psychophysiological Assessment of the Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Strategies in Childhood
Published on: February 11, 2017
Positive parenting as a protective resource for parentally bereaved children
Rachel A Haine1, Sharlene A Wolchik, Irwin N Sandler
1Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA.
Death Studies
|November 22, 2005
Summary
Positive parenting acts as a protective resource for children experiencing parental loss. This study found positive parenting directly buffers mental health issues in bereaved children, regardless of other life stressors.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Bereavement Studies
- Mental Health Interventions
Background:
- Parental bereavement significantly impacts children's mental health.
- Understanding protective factors is crucial for supporting grieving children.
- Positive parenting is hypothesized to mitigate negative outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine positive parenting as a protective resource for parentally bereaved children.
- To test compensatory and stress-buffer models of protection.
- To explore child gender as a moderator.
Main Methods:
- Surveyed 313 recently bereaved children (ages 8-16) and their caregivers.
- Assessed mental health problems and negative life events.
- Analyzed data using compensatory and stress-buffer models.
Main Results:
- Evidence supported the compensatory model: positive parenting directly protected mental health.
- No evidence found for the stress-buffer model.
- Child gender did not moderate the protective effects.
Conclusions:
- Positive parenting offers direct protection for bereaved children's mental health.
- Findings inform interventions aimed at strengthening positive parenting practices.
- Future research could explore other moderators in child bereavement.
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