Some thoughts on normal adolescents who lost a parent by death

This study is an attempt to determine the effects of the loss of a parent by death in childhood on adolescents who were not part of a clinic population. In a longitudinal study of 350 normal adolescents by Peterson and Offer, 7 teenagers had lost a parent between the ages of 7 and 10 1/2. These 7 research protocols were reviewed at ages 12 and 13. Almost all of these youngsters were intensely involved with siblings and peers as a way to help them adapt to their loss. At least one-half of this group of normal adolescents had some type of therapeutic contact since the parent's death. At age 12 these youngsters appeared to be coping with their loss by extracting from their environment the necessary help and support. At age 13 they were still coping, but their adaptation appeared more precarious.