Parental Death During Adolescence: A Review of the Literature

Abstract

While extensive research exists on parental loss in childhood and the related psychological interventions, little has been done in the adolescent population. Adolescence is a particular phase of life characterized by a singular psychological, emotional, neurological, and endocrinological development, paralleled by the process of self-affirmation and an opening toward social relationships. This complex neuropsychological phase should thus be understood independently from children and adults. The objective of this work was to review the literature studying the impacts of parental loss in adolescents. The current review identified a wide range of behavioral and emotional responses to parental death in adolescence, including depression, suicidal ideations, anxiety, insomnia, addiction and impaired function at school and home. The role of peers, school life, and family and social environment are important for the recovery from loss. More studies are required to better understand the different psychological trajectories in adolescence after parental death and tailor mental health interventions accordingly.

Orphanhood and caregiver death among children in the United States due to all-cause mortality 2000-2021: A Modeling Study

“…44 Circumstances of parental death influence grief-related psychopathology in surviving children, 45 and evidence-based responses can improve short- and long-term outcomes. 9,11,12 It is paramount to keep children in their families, whenever possible. This requires ensuring bereaved families receive support, and those needing kinship or foster care are served rapidly.…”

“…48 As grief is an immediate reaction that can extend years after parental loss, healing and support are urgent needs for children, who may be less equipped to recover than adults, particularly when the loss is sudden and unexpected. 11,27 The governor of Utah 49 and others 50 have called for the addition to the death certificate of a checkbox to identify children living in the home of the deceased, so that bereaved children can be linked to support and services. Such responses typically provide parenting, economic, and education support, and are consistent with the WHO INSPIRE package for ending violence against children.…”

Orphanhood and caregiver death among children in the United States due to all-cause mortality 2000-2021: A Modeling Study

“…48 As grief is an immediate reaction that can extend years after parental loss, healing and support are urgent needs for children, who may be less equipped to recover than adults, particularly when the loss is sudden and unexpected. 11,27 The governor of Utah 49 and others 50 have called for the addition to the death certi cate of a checkbox to identify children living in the home of the deceased, so that bereaved children can be linked to support and services. Such responses typically provide parenting, economic, and education support, and are consistent with the WHO INSPIRE package for ending violence against children.…”

“…44 Circumstances of parental death in uence grief-related psychopathology in surviving children, 45 and evidence-based responses can improve short-and long-term outcomes. 9,11,12 It is paramount to keep children in their families, whenever possible. This requires ensuring bereaved families receive support, and those needing kinship or foster care are served rapidly.…”

The Reactions of Adolescents, Parents and Clinicians to Participating in Qualitative Research Interviews Regarding Adolescents Bereaved by Suicide and Other Traumatic Death

“…Adolescents who are bereaved by the death of someone close to them, such as a family member or a friend, often experience short-term and long-term impacts regarding their grief, mental health and social functioning [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Experiencing a death is often an unfamiliar, disruptive and stressful event in their lives, leading to acute grief reactions such as crying, and feelings of numbness, sadness and longing for the deceased person [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Compared to other types of bereavement, adolescents bereaved by suicide and other traumatic death can experience more pronounced feelings of shock, guilt, anger, and abandonment [ 3 , 4 , 6 ].…”