The death of a parent can be very difficult on a child. A number of factors can help determine if the child is able to cope with the loss well or poorly. The authors are from Columbia University and Brooklyn and Kings County Hospital in New York.
Factor
Promote Coping
Impede Coping
concurrent life events
stable
stressful
socioeconomic status
higher
low
relationship with surviving parent caregiver
open and positive
negative or nonsupportive
relationship with parent who died
good
poor
functioning of surviving parent or caregiver
capable
impaired
pre-existing mental health of surviving parent or caregiver
healthy
mental illness
pre-existing mental health in child
healthy
mental illness
circumstances of parent's death
positive in some way
violent, traumatic and disturbing
child's self-esteem
high
low
personal resources (intellectual and social abilities)
competent
impaired
attitude of peers and adults in life
accepting and caring
rejection, negative
opportunity to express feelings
accepted and validated
rejected, belittled
locus of control
internal, religious
external
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