Children's Reactions to Loss of Parent through Violence

A review of the medical records of these children revealed that a majority were from lower socioeconomic familes and were of preschool age at the time of the death of their parent(s), and they were diagnosed as having overanxious, dysthymic or conduct disorders.

Abstract

Twenty-one cases of violent (murder or suicide) parent loss involving young children are discussed. A review of the medical records of these children revealed that a majority were from lower socioeconomic familes and were of preschool age at the time of the death of their parent(s). They were diagnosed as having overanxious, dysthymic or conduct disorders, and they seemed to be at greater risk developmentally if their current caretakers had conflicted feelings toward them and their dead parent(s). It was not clear whether the violent nature of their parents' deaths, witnessing their parents' deaths, prior losses, or exposure to violence before the death of their parent(s) are important variables predisposing the child to psychiatric illness.