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Counseling Psychology and Psychotherapy
2025. Vol. 33, no. 3, 8–31
doi:10.17759/cpp.2025330301
ISSN: 2075-3470 / 2311-9446 (online)

Childhood grief: risks and resources for adapting to bereavement

 
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Abstract

Relevance. The high risks of encountering the death of a parent or close relative in childhood determine the relevance of psychological assistance, which requires an understanding of what factors can influence the course of childhood grief and, consequently, subsequent adaptation. Objective. Based on the literature analysis, describe the risk and protection factors in experiencing childhood grief. Materials and methods. Theoretical analysis of foreign literature over the past 20 years, presented in the PubMed electronic database for the keywords "childhood grief, risk factors" (childhood grief/ bereavement, risk factors). The systematization was based on the main differences between childhood grief, which allowed us to identify 3 main factors: 1) characteristics of the child's development at the time of loss, 2) availability of resources to cope with loss, and 3) attitude to death and loss. Results. Each factor is represented by two components containing both risks and resources. Thus, developmental characteristics are represented by biological and social factors that affect a child's ability to cope with grief. Internal and external coping resources are distinguished. The attitude to death is considered through the child's perception of the phenomenon of death formed at the time of loss, as well as through the context of loss, including the type and cause of death of a close relative. Conclusion. The theoretical analysis made it possible to compile a list of risks and resources that can be used in further research to develop an appropriate questionnaire or checklist to assess the possible risks of maladaptation when a child experiences grief, as well as the resources available to him.

General Information

Keywords: parent's death, childhood grief, childhood bereavement, protective and risk factors, complicated grief, maladjustment reactions, attitude towards death

Journal rubric: Research Reviews

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/cpp.2025330301

Received 20.08.2024

Revised 20.11.2024

Accepted

Published

For citation: Bakanova, A.A. (2025). Childhood grief: risks and resources for adapting to bereavement. Counseling Psychology and Psychotherapy, 33(3), 8–31. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/cpp.2025330301

© Bakanova A.A., 2025

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

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Information About the Authors

Anastasia A. Bakanova, Candidate of Science (Psychology), Associate Professor, Chair of Clinical Psychology and Psychological Assistance, Department of Psychology, Russian State Pedagogical University named after A.I. Herzen (FSBEI HE RGPU named after A.I. Herzen), St.Petersburg, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5062-6210, e-mail: ba2006@mail.ru

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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