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The Influence of Parent Distress and Parenting on Bereaved Siblings' Externalizing Problems
Katianne M Howard Sharp1, Emily A Meadows2, Madelaine C Keim3
1The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.
Journal of Child and Family Studies
|December 21, 2020
Summary
Sibling bereavement is linked to externalizing problems in adolescents. Maternal distress and parenting changes partially explain these issues, highlighting the need for family-centered support.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Family Studies
- Grief and Bereavement Research
Background:
- Sibling bereavement is associated with increased externalizing problems in adolescents compared to their peers.
- The underlying mechanisms linking sibling loss to adolescent behavioral issues require empirical investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the serial indirect effects of sibling bereavement on adolescents' externalizing problems.
- To investigate the mediating roles of maternal distress (internalizing symptoms) and parenting (behaviors, communication) in this relationship.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 72 bereaved adolescents (ages 10-18) and 60 comparison peers.
- Data collection included self-reports on externalizing problems and parent-adolescent communication, and parent reports on internalizing symptoms and parenting behaviors (warmth, psychological control).
Main Results:
- Bereaved siblings reported significantly more externalizing problems.
- Maternal internalizing symptoms and parenting/communication (less warmth, more psychological control, more problematic communication) partially mediated the link between bereavement and externalizing problems.
- No significant indirect effects were found for fathers.
Conclusions:
- Maternal distress and its impact on parenting and communication may contribute to elevated externalizing problems in bereaved siblings.
- Interventions targeting maternal adjustment and parenting post-child loss could benefit bereaved siblings.
- Further research on family-centered interventions is recommended.
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