The Role of the Surviving Parent in the Adaptation of Bereaved Adolescents
The experience of having a parent become ill and die constitutes a major blow to an adolescent. One of the factors that may influence the ability of an adolescent to adapt in a healthy manner to the death of a parent is the degree of support available from the surviving parent. In the present study, 50 bereaved adolescents were seen for a semi-structured interview and psychological testing. Participants rated the overall helpfulness of their surviving parent and also described the kinds of help they received. The major dependent variable was level of depression, as assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory. Findings showed that individuals who had a good relationship with a surviving parent prior to and following loss adapted better than those with a poor relationship. Surviving parents tended to be rated in extreme ways – as either very helpful or as not at all helpful. Implications for interventions during the terminal phase of a parent's illness, as well as following death, are discussed.