Bereavement in Childhood What Might Happen

What is bereavement? 1) feeling sad due to the death of a family member or friend; 2) a family member or friend died recently. Merriam-Webster dictionary

Meaning of death Age (years old)Meaning of death 3-5Does not understand what death is 6-8Understand death is permanent. 9-11Ask for more information and show anger Display no feeling about it. Talk about deceased without problems Feel overwhelmed. Start to show empathy and thoughtfulness. Black, 2005

Why important? After the experience of bereavement, individuals are more likely to show: –External problem lower school performance or school failure socioeconomic disadvantages risky behaviors lower developmental competence

Why important? After the experience of bereavement, individuals are more likely to show: –Internal mental problem PTSD symptoms depression or depressive symptoms anxiety disorders extreme distress

Influences Ages Genders Who is the one died How the person died Time How close they were Personality Postdeath supports

References Auman, M. J. (2007). Bereavement support for children. The Journal of School Nursing, 23(1), Bereavement. (n.d.). In Webster Dictionary online. Retrieved from webster.com/dictionary/bereavement Berg, L., Rostila, M., Saarela, J., & Hjern, A. (2014). Parental death during childhood and subsequent school performance. Pediatrics, 133(4), Black, S. (2005). Research: How teachers and counselors can reach out to bereaved students. When children grieve. American School Board Journal, 192(8), 28–30. Boelen, P. A., & Spuij, M. (2013). Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder in bereaved children and adolescents: Factor structure and correlates. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 41(7), Brent, D., Melhem, N., Donohoe, M. B., & Walker, M. (2009). The incidence and course of depression in bereaved youth 21 months after the loss of a parent to suicide, accident, or sudden natural death. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 166(7),

References Brent, D., Melhem, N., Masten, A., Porta, G., & Payne, M. (2012). Longitudinal effects of parental bereavement on adolescent developmental competence. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 41(6), Gray, L. B., Weller, R. A., Fristad, M., & Weller, E. B. (2011). Depression in children and adolescents two months after the death of a parent. Journal of Affective Disorders, 135(1-3), Hensley, P. L., & Clayton, P. J. (2008). Bereavement: Signs, symptoms, and course. Psychiatric Annals, 38(10), Little, M., Sandler, I. N., Wolchik, S. A., Tein, J., & Ayers, T. S. (2009). Comparing cognitive, relational and stress mechanisms underlying gender differences in recovery from bereavement-related internalizing problems. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 38(4),

Useful links American Foundation for Suicide Prevention School-based behavioral health The Center for Grieving Children Circle Camps for Grieving Children National Alliance for Grieving Children