Evidence-Based Practices for Parentally Bereaved Children and Their Families

Prof Psychol Res Pr. 2008 Apr;39(2):113-121. doi: 10.1037/0735-7028.39.2.113.

Abstract

Parental death is one of the most traumatic events that can occur in childhood, and several reviews of the literature have found that the death of a parent places children at risk for a number of negative outcomes. This article describes the knowledge base regarding both empirically-supported, malleable factors that have been shown to contribute to or protect children from mental health problems following the death of a parent and evidence-based practices to change these factors. In addition, nonmealleable factors clinicians should consider when providing services for children who have experienced the death of a parent are reviewed.