Loss of a Parent Leads to Psychological Problems that Last More than 70 Years

Death of a parent at childhood affects quality of life in adulthood. Researchers found children who lost parents during the early stages of their life experiencing emotional difficulties, feelings of insecurity and loneliness as adults, when they do not receive proper support at the time of death.

The findings, published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, found the impact lasting 71 years after the loss.

"Moving home and separation from family and friends makes adjustment to parental death significantly more difficult and increases stress in bereaved children," Professor Mari Lloyd Williams, from the University of Liverpool, speaking on behalf of the research team of Dr. Jackie Ellis and Professor Chris Dowrick, said in a news release. "Long periods of disruption or living arrangements that do not meet the needs of the bereaved child means they are more likely to experience emotional difficulties and feelings of insecurity and loneliness in adult life."

Concerned with the findings, researchers urged the need to provide more support to the children, apart from the normal counselling.

"Our research suggests that if the social network addresses the necessary 'mothering or fathering' then a child does not appear to be affected in adult life," Lloyd Williams said.

Supporting the current study, previous studies have shown children often experiencing many problems - psychiatric problems, depression, anxiety, drug and alcohol abuse- after a parent's death.

In Dec.2012, a team of researchers from Sweden found teens going through a tragic event like losing one of their parents to cancer at higher risks of causing self-injury to themselves compared to teens living with both parents.