Parental Death

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David A. Brent - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • The Burden of Bereavement: Early-Onset Depression and Impairment in Youths Bereaved by Sudden Parental Death in a 7-Year Prospective Study
    The American journal of psychiatry, 2018
    Co-Authors: Steven Pham, Nadine M. Melhem, Giovanna Porta, Monica Walker Payne, Candice Biernesser, Satish Iyengar, David A. Brent
    Abstract:

    Objective:The authors sought to determine the long-term impact of sudden Parental Death on youths and pathways between youth bereavement and impairment.Methods:Youths (N=216) who lost a parent to s...

  • commentary the course of depression after childhood Parental Death a reflection on berg et al 2016
    Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 2016
    Co-Authors: Nadine M. Melhem, David A. Brent
    Abstract:

    Berg et al.'s study highlights the long-lasting impact of childhood Parental Death on depression in adulthood in the absence of early preventive and intervention efforts. Given the long-term effects of childhood Parental Death, it seems that the most propitious time to intervene is early on after the Death. Several prevention and intervention approaches have been shown to reduce the incidence of depression and to ameliorate its course and thus could be potential approaches to intervene with Parentally bereaved children. Future longitudinal studies focused on children and adolescents are also needed to examine the biological pathways that set the stage for increased vulnerability across the life span following childhood Parental Death and adversity in order to inform novel targets for interventions.

  • Commentary: The course of depression after childhood Parental Death – a reflection on Berg et al. (2016)
    Journal of child psychology and psychiatry and allied disciplines, 2016
    Co-Authors: Nadine M. Melhem, David A. Brent
    Abstract:

    Berg et al.'s study highlights the long-lasting impact of childhood Parental Death on depression in adulthood in the absence of early preventive and intervention efforts. Given the long-term effects of childhood Parental Death, it seems that the most propitious time to intervene is early on after the Death. Several prevention and intervention approaches have been shown to reduce the incidence of depression and to ameliorate its course and thus could be potential approaches to intervene with Parentally bereaved children. Future longitudinal studies focused on children and adolescents are also needed to examine the biological pathways that set the stage for increased vulnerability across the life span following childhood Parental Death and adversity in order to inform novel targets for interventions.

  • Grief in children and adolescents bereaved by sudden Parental Death.
    Archives of General Psychiatry, 2011
    Co-Authors: Nadine M. Melhem, Giovanna Porta, Wael Shamseddeen, Monica Walker Payne, David A. Brent
    Abstract:

    Context Major advances have been made in our understanding of the phenomenology and course of grief in adults. However, little is known about the course of grief in children and adolescents. Objective We report on the course of children's and adolescents' grief reactions after sudden Parental Death and the effect of those reactions on subsequent psychiatric and functional status. Design Longitudinal study (July 1, 2002, through January 16, 2007) of bereaved children, adolescents, and families, with yearly comprehensive assessments as long as 3 years after Parental Death. Setting Bereaved children and adolescents and their surviving parents recruited through coroners' records and a newspaper advertisement. Participants A total of 182 Parentally bereaved children and adolescents aged 7 through 18 years whose parent died due to suicide, unintentional injury, or sudden natural causes. Main Outcome Measures Grief, functional impairment, and incident depression. Results Three distinct trajectories of grief reactions were observed in the study participants. In 1 group, which consisted of 10.4% of the sample, grief reactions showed no change 33 months after Death. Children and adolescents with prolonged grief reactions had higher rates of previous personal history of depression. Prolonged grief made unique contributions to increased levels of functional impairment, even after controlling for the clinical characteristics before and after the Death. Conversely, prolonged grief in children, adolescents, and the surviving caregiver predisposed children and adolescents to an increased hazard of incident depression. Another group (30.8%) showed increased grief reactions 9 months after the Death, which gradually decreased over time. Despite this finding, grief reactions in this group also were associated with functional impairment and increased risk of incident depression. Conclusions Grief reactions abate over time for most children and adolescents bereaved by sudden Parental Death; however, a subset shows increased or prolonged grief reactions, which in turn increases the risk of functional impairment and depression. Research regarding interventions designed to relieve the burden of grief in bereaved children and adolescents are needed. Such efforts also should assess and address grief reactions in the surviving parent.

  • Psychiatric Morbidity, Violent Crime, and Suicide among Children and Adolescents Exposed to Parental Death.
    Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2010
    Co-Authors: Holly C. Wilcox, Satoko J. Kuramoto, Paul Lichtenstein, Niklas Långström, David A. Brent, Bo S. Runeson
    Abstract:

    Objective This retrospective cohort study examined the risk for suicide, psychiatric hospitalization, and violent criminal convictions among offspring of parents who died from suicide, accidents, and other causes. Method Population-based data from multiple Swedish national registers were linked from 1969 to 2004. Participants were 44,397 offspring of suicide decedents, 41,467 offspring of accident decedents, 417,365 offspring of parents who died by other causes, and 3,807,867 offspring of alive parents. We estimated risk by mode of Parental Death (suicide, accident, other) and offspring age at Parental Death (childhood, adolescence, young adulthood). Results Offspring of suicide decedents were at greater risk for suicide than offspring of alive parents (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 1.9; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.4 to 2.5), whereas offspring of accident decedents and other Parental Death were not at increased risk (p Conclusions Mode of Parental Death and offspring age at Parental Death are associated with offspring long-term risk for suicide and hospitalization for specific psychiatric disorders.

J. B. Kingree - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Role of Secondary Stressors in the Parental Death–Child Distress Relation
    Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 1998
    Co-Authors: Martie P. Thompson, Nadine J. Kaslow, Ann Webb Price, Kimberly Williams, J. B. Kingree
    Abstract:

    This study examined the psychological consequences and secondary stressors associated with Death of a parent. The sample ( N = 116) consisted of 26 youths who had lost a parent to homicide, 45 youths who had lost a parent to natural Death, and 45 nonbereaved youths. Youngsters completed face-to-face interviews, while their guardians completed measures assessing the children's functioning. Results based on both child and guardian reports indicated that Parental Death was associated with an increase in secondary stressors, regardless of the mode of Death. Findings based on guardian reports also revealed that Parental Death was related to increased internalizing distress, and that Parental Death due to homicide was related to increased externalizing distress. Furthermore, secondary stressors mediated the Parental Death–child distress relation such that Parental Death led to an increase in stressors, which in turn led to increased child distress. Implications for secondary and tertiary preventive interventions are discussed.

  • Role of secondary stressors in the Parental Death-child distress relation.
    Journal of abnormal child psychology, 1998
    Co-Authors: Martie P. Thompson, Nadine J. Kaslow, Ann Webb Price, Kimberly Williams, J. B. Kingree
    Abstract:

    This study examined the psychological consequences and secondary stressors associated with Death of a parent. The sample (N = 116) consisted of 26 youths who had lost a parent to homicide, 45 youths who had lost a parent to natural Death, and 45 nonbereaved youths. Youngsters completed face-to-face interviews, while their guardians completed measures assessing the children's functioning. Results based on both child and guardian reports indicated that Parental Death was associated with an increase in secondary stressors, regardless of the mode of Death. Findings based on guardian reports also revealed that Parental Death was related to increased internalizing distress, and that Parental Death due to homicide was related to increased externalizing distress. Furthermore, secondary stressors mediated the Parental Death-child distress relation such that Parental Death led to an increase in stressors, which in turn led to increased child distress. Implications for secondary and tertiary preventive interventions are discussed.

Myfanwy Maple - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Theoretical frameworks informing the relationship between Parental Death and suicidal behaviour: A scoping review.
    Heliyon, 2020
    Co-Authors: Phuong Hua, Myfanwy Maple, Kieran Hay, Lyndal Bugeja
    Abstract:

    Abstract Background Exposure to Parental Death in childhood has been strongly associated with offspring suicide although few studies have applied theoretical models to conceptualise this relationship. Methods Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses – Scoping Reviews guidelines, we conducted a scoping review of primary studies that identified a theory/framework explaining the aetiology of suicidal behaviour in adulthood, following childhood exposure to external-cause Parental Death, including suicide. Results The search yielded 1598 articles. Following full-text screening, 23 studies were identified as meeting inclusion criteria. Data extraction was then completed and found that the studies collectively referenced nine theories. The specific theories identified covered a range of biopsychosocial frameworks and included attachment theory, familial transmission of suicide, conservation of resources framework, diathesis-stress model, social integration theory, socio-ecological model, social learning theory, critical period hypothesis or life course approach and the developmental model of antisocial behaviour. Limitations It was beyond the scope of this review to conduct rigorous testing and evaluation of the theories identified. Future research could extend on this study by developing criteria to assess the range of theories and frameworks on suicide exposure, as well as the studies providing evidence for these theories, in order to guide more advanced theory development as well as policies, programs and interventions. Conclusions Based on these theories, the authors proposed that using an integrated biopsychosocial model will provide a more comprehensive understanding of the diverse risk and protective factors for suicidal behaviour following Parental Death.

  • A systematic review on the protective factors that reduce suicidality following childhood exposure to external cause Parental Death, including suicide
    Journal of Affective Disorders Reports, 2020
    Co-Authors: Phuong Hua, Lyndal Bugeja, Chongmei Huang, Sarah Wayland, Myfanwy Maple
    Abstract:

    Abstract Background Exposure to Parental Death in childhood has been associated with increased suicide risk among offspring, although few studies have examined protective factors that reduce suicide risk in this cohort. This systematic literature review aimed to synthesise primary studies on the protective factors that reduce suicidality following childhood exposure to external cause Parental Death, including suicide. These factors are also regarded as having ‘buffering’ effects that may promote posttraumatic growth and resilience. Methods A systematic literature review was conducted in accordance with guidelines from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. Ovid MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Ovid PsycINFO, Web of Science, CINAHL via EbscoHost and Ovid EMBASE were searched. Two researchers independently screened the articles, performed data extraction and assessed quality of evidence. Results Of the 1976 studies identified, 23 were included for review. Most studies provided evidence of individual, interpersonal and environmental-level factors which lower an individual's risk of subsequent suicidality following Parental Death, including suicide. Five studies made specific reference to resilience and gave evidence that bereaved offspring were well-adjusted and showed normative development. Two studies examined posttraumatic growth suggesting some offspring can develop more prosocial traits through the bereavement process. Limitations There were limited studies mentioning posttraumatic growth which did not allow researchers to study its development and how it differs or complements the development of resilience. Most studies also had limited sample sizes. Conclusions Bereaved children have the capacity to adapt to Parental Death as they transition to adulthood although further research is needed to differentiate individuals who demonstrate resilience from those who exhibit posttraumatic growth.

  • a systematic review on the relationship between childhood exposure to external cause Parental Death including suicide on subsequent suicidal behaviour
    Journal of Affective Disorders, 2019
    Co-Authors: Phuong Hua, Lyndal Bugeja, Myfanwy Maple
    Abstract:

    Abstract Background Exposure to Parental Death in childhood has been associated with offspring suicide risk, although the strength of this association is unclear. The primary aim of this systematic review was to synthesise primary studies on the relationship between childhood exposure to external cause Parental Death, including suicide, and subsequent suicidal behaviour in adulthood. The secondary objective was to compare suicide-related outcomes of exposure to Parental suicide with the outcomes of exposure to other external cause Parental Deaths. Methods A systematic review was conducted using guidelines from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. Ovid MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Ovid PsycINFO, Web of Science, CINAHL and EMBASE were searched from January 2008 until November 2018. Two researchers independently screened the articles, performed data extraction and assessed quality of evidence using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Results Of the 618 studies identified, 26 were included for review. Only one study found no significant association between childhood exposure to suicide and increased suicide risk in adulthood. Four studies suggested the risk of suicidality in adulthood was greater for those exposed to Parental suicide compared to other external cause Deaths. Limitations The use of national registers in many studies did not allow for all variables of interest to be examined. Selective samples also limited the generalizability of findings. Conclusions A strong association between Parental suicide and suicidal behaviour in adult offspring exists. Interventions for bereaved youth should consider the long-term effects of Parental suicide and target individual and environmental-level risk factors for subsequent suicidality.

Ken R Smith - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • life and Death in the family early Parental Death Parental remarriage and offspring suicide risk in adulthood
    Social Science & Medicine, 2015
    Co-Authors: Michael S Hollingshaus, Ken R Smith
    Abstract:

    Early-life Parental Death (PD) may increase suicide and other mortality risk in adulthood. The potential implications of subsequent remarriage of the widowed parent (RWP) for suicide have not been well examined. Data came from the Utah Population Database for birth cohorts between 1886 and 1960, yielding a sample of N = 663,729 individuals, including 4533 suicides. Cox models showed PD was associated with increased adult suicide risk before age 50, and with increased risk of cardiovascular disease Deaths (CVD) for adults of all ages. For females, RWP attenuated the suicide relationship before age 50 (though not statistically significant), but significantly exacerbated it after age 50. RWP had no significant impact for males. Further, for females, PD's positive association with suicide was stronger than with CVD before age 50. These findings reinforce the importance of biological and social mechanisms in linking early-life stressors to adult mental and physical health.

  • Life and Death in the family: Early Parental Death, Parental remarriage, and offspring suicide risk in adulthood
    Social science & medicine (1982), 2015
    Co-Authors: Michael S Hollingshaus, Ken R Smith
    Abstract:

    Early-life Parental Death (PD) may increase suicide and other mortality risk in adulthood. The potential implications of subsequent remarriage of the widowed parent (RWP) for suicide have not been well examined. Data came from the Utah Population Database for birth cohorts between 1886 and 1960, yielding a sample of N = 663,729 individuals, including 4533 suicides. Cox models showed PD was associated with increased adult suicide risk before age 50, and with increased risk of cardiovascular disease Deaths (CVD) for adults of all ages. For females, RWP attenuated the suicide relationship before age 50 (though not statistically significant), but significantly exacerbated it after age 50. RWP had no significant impact for males. Further, for females, PD's positive association with suicide was stronger than with CVD before age 50. These findings reinforce the importance of biological and social mechanisms in linking early-life stressors to adult mental and physical health.

  • survival of offspring who experience early Parental Death early life conditions and later life mortality
    Social Science & Medicine, 2014
    Co-Authors: Ken R Smith, Heidi A Hanson, Michael S Hollingshaus, Maria C. Norton, Geraldine P. Mineau
    Abstract:

    We examine the influences of a set of early life conditions (ELCs) on all-cause and cause-specific mortality among elderly individuals, with special attention to one of the most dramatic early events in a child's, adolescent's, or even young adult's life, the Death of a parent. The foremost question is, once controlling for prevailing (and potentially confounding) conditions early in life (family history of longevity, paternal characteristics (SES, age at time of birth, sibship size, and religious affiliation)), is a Parental Death associated with enduring mortality risks after age 65? The years following Parental Death may initiate new circumstances through which the adverse effects of paternal Death operate. Here we consider the offspring's marital status (whether married; whether and when widowed), adult socioeconomic status, fertility, and later life health status. Adult health status is based on the Charlson Co-Morbidity Index, a construct that summarizes nearly all serious illnesses afflicting older individuals that relies on Medicare data. The data are based on linkages between the Utah Population Database and Medicare claims that hold medical diagnoses data. We show that offspring whose parents died when they were children, but especially when they were adolescents/young adults, have modest but significant mortality risks after age 65. What are striking are the weak mediating influences of later-life comorbidities, marital status, fertility and adult socioeconomic status since controls for these do little to alter the overall association. No beneficial effects of the surviving parent's remarriage were detected. Overall, we show the persistence of the effects of early life loss on later-life mortality and indicate the difficulties in addressing challenges at young ages.

  • survival of offspring who experience early Parental Death early life conditions and later life mortality
    Social Science & Medicine, 2014
    Co-Authors: Ken R Smith, Heidi A Hanson, Michael S Hollingshaus, Maria C. Norton, Geraldine P. Mineau
    Abstract:

    We examine the influences of a set of early life conditions (ELCs) on all-cause and cause-specific mortality among elderly individuals, with special attention to one of the most dramatic early events in a child's, adolescent's, or even young adult's life, the Death of a parent. The foremost question is, once controlling for prevailing (and potentially confounding) conditions early in life (family history of longevity, paternal characteristics (SES, age at time of birth, sibship size, and religious affiliation)), is a Parental Death associated with enduring mortality risks after age 65? The years following Parental Death may initiate new circumstances through which the adverse effects of paternal Death operate. Here we consider the offspring's marital status (whether married; whether and when widowed), adult socioeconomic status, fertility, and later life health status. Adult health status is based on the Charlson Co-Morbidity Index, a construct that summarizes nearly all serious illnesses afflicting older individuals that relies on Medicare data. The data are based on linkages between the Utah Population Database and Medicare claims that hold medical diagnoses data. We show that offspring whose parents died when they were children, but especially when they were adolescents/young adults, have modest but significant mortality risks after age 65. What are striking are the weak mediating influences of later-life comorbidities, marital status, fertility and adult socioeconomic status since controls for these do little to alter the overall association. No beneficial effects of the surviving parent's remarriage were detected. Overall, we show the persistence of the effects of early life loss on later-life mortality and indicate the difficulties in addressing challenges at young ages.

  • early Parental Death and remarriage of widowed parents as risk factors for alzheimer disease the cache county study
    American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 2011
    Co-Authors: Maria C. Norton, Ken R Smith, Truls Ostbye, Joann T Tschanz, Sarah Schwartz, Chris Corcoran, John C S Breitner, David C Steffens, Ingmar Skoog
    Abstract:

    Objectives Early Parental Death is associated with lifelong tendencies toward depression and chronic stress. We tested the hypothesis that early Parental Death is associated with higher risk for Alzheimer disease (AD) in offspring. Design A population-based epidemiological study of dementia with detailed clinical evaluations, linked to one of the world's richest sources of objective genealogical and vital statistics data. Setting Home visits with residents of a rural county in northern Utah. Participants 4,108 subjects, aged 65–105. Measurements Multistage dementia ascertainment protocol implemented in four triennial waves, yielding expert consensus diagnoses of 570 participants with AD and 3,538 without dementia. Parental Death dates, socioeconomic status, and Parental remarriage after widowhood were obtained from the Utah Population Database, a large genealogical database linked to statewide birth and Death records. Results Mother's Death during subject's adolescence was significantly associated with higher rate of AD in regression models that included age, gender, education, APOE genotype, and socioeconomic status. Father's Death before subject age 5 showed a weaker association. In stratified analyses, associations were significant only when the widowed parent did not remarry. Parental Death associations were not moderated by gender or APOE genotype. Findings were specific to AD and not found for non-AD dementia. Conclusions Parental Death during childhood is associated with higher prevalence of AD, with different critical periods for father's versus mother's Death, with strength of these associations attenuated by remarriage of the widowed parent.

Nadine M. Melhem - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • The Burden of Bereavement: Early-Onset Depression and Impairment in Youths Bereaved by Sudden Parental Death in a 7-Year Prospective Study
    The American journal of psychiatry, 2018
    Co-Authors: Steven Pham, Nadine M. Melhem, Giovanna Porta, Monica Walker Payne, Candice Biernesser, Satish Iyengar, David A. Brent
    Abstract:

    Objective:The authors sought to determine the long-term impact of sudden Parental Death on youths and pathways between youth bereavement and impairment.Methods:Youths (N=216) who lost a parent to s...

  • commentary the course of depression after childhood Parental Death a reflection on berg et al 2016
    Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 2016
    Co-Authors: Nadine M. Melhem, David A. Brent
    Abstract:

    Berg et al.'s study highlights the long-lasting impact of childhood Parental Death on depression in adulthood in the absence of early preventive and intervention efforts. Given the long-term effects of childhood Parental Death, it seems that the most propitious time to intervene is early on after the Death. Several prevention and intervention approaches have been shown to reduce the incidence of depression and to ameliorate its course and thus could be potential approaches to intervene with Parentally bereaved children. Future longitudinal studies focused on children and adolescents are also needed to examine the biological pathways that set the stage for increased vulnerability across the life span following childhood Parental Death and adversity in order to inform novel targets for interventions.

  • Commentary: The course of depression after childhood Parental Death – a reflection on Berg et al. (2016)
    Journal of child psychology and psychiatry and allied disciplines, 2016
    Co-Authors: Nadine M. Melhem, David A. Brent
    Abstract:

    Berg et al.'s study highlights the long-lasting impact of childhood Parental Death on depression in adulthood in the absence of early preventive and intervention efforts. Given the long-term effects of childhood Parental Death, it seems that the most propitious time to intervene is early on after the Death. Several prevention and intervention approaches have been shown to reduce the incidence of depression and to ameliorate its course and thus could be potential approaches to intervene with Parentally bereaved children. Future longitudinal studies focused on children and adolescents are also needed to examine the biological pathways that set the stage for increased vulnerability across the life span following childhood Parental Death and adversity in order to inform novel targets for interventions.

  • Grief in children and adolescents bereaved by sudden Parental Death.
    Archives of General Psychiatry, 2011
    Co-Authors: Nadine M. Melhem, Giovanna Porta, Wael Shamseddeen, Monica Walker Payne, David A. Brent
    Abstract:

    Context Major advances have been made in our understanding of the phenomenology and course of grief in adults. However, little is known about the course of grief in children and adolescents. Objective We report on the course of children's and adolescents' grief reactions after sudden Parental Death and the effect of those reactions on subsequent psychiatric and functional status. Design Longitudinal study (July 1, 2002, through January 16, 2007) of bereaved children, adolescents, and families, with yearly comprehensive assessments as long as 3 years after Parental Death. Setting Bereaved children and adolescents and their surviving parents recruited through coroners' records and a newspaper advertisement. Participants A total of 182 Parentally bereaved children and adolescents aged 7 through 18 years whose parent died due to suicide, unintentional injury, or sudden natural causes. Main Outcome Measures Grief, functional impairment, and incident depression. Results Three distinct trajectories of grief reactions were observed in the study participants. In 1 group, which consisted of 10.4% of the sample, grief reactions showed no change 33 months after Death. Children and adolescents with prolonged grief reactions had higher rates of previous personal history of depression. Prolonged grief made unique contributions to increased levels of functional impairment, even after controlling for the clinical characteristics before and after the Death. Conversely, prolonged grief in children, adolescents, and the surviving caregiver predisposed children and adolescents to an increased hazard of incident depression. Another group (30.8%) showed increased grief reactions 9 months after the Death, which gradually decreased over time. Despite this finding, grief reactions in this group also were associated with functional impairment and increased risk of incident depression. Conclusions Grief reactions abate over time for most children and adolescents bereaved by sudden Parental Death; however, a subset shows increased or prolonged grief reactions, which in turn increases the risk of functional impairment and depression. Research regarding interventions designed to relieve the burden of grief in bereaved children and adolescents are needed. Such efforts also should assess and address grief reactions in the surviving parent.

  • Antecedents and Sequelae of Sudden Parental Death in Offspring and Surviving Caregivers
    Archives of pediatrics & adolescent medicine, 2008
    Co-Authors: Nadine M. Melhem, Monica Walker, Grace Moritz, David A. Brent
    Abstract:

    Objectives To examine the psychiatric antecedents that put parents at risk for early Death, and the psychological sequelae of bereavement in offspring and caregivers. Design A population-based study. Setting Bereaved families were recruited through the coroner's records and by advertisement. Control families were recruited by random-digit dialing and advertisement. Participants Families with biological offspring from 7 to 25 years of age in which 1 parent died of suicide, accident, or sudden natural Death were included (n = 140). Controls (n = 99) had 2 living parents and their biological offspring and had no Death of a first-degree relative within the past 2 years. Main Outcome Measures Lifetime psychiatric history for deceased parents (probands) and new-onset psychiatric disorders, self-reported symptoms, and functional status in offspring and surviving caregivers. Results Bipolar disorder, substance abuse, and personality disorders are more common in probands who died of suicide or accident than in control parents. Bereaved offspring and their caregivers were at increased risk for depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. Bereaved offspring had a 3-fold (95% confidence interval, 1.3-7.0) increased risk of depression, even after controlling for antecedent and concomitant risk factors. Offspring bereaved by suicide showed similar outcomes compared with those bereaved by other types of Death. Conclusions Bereavement conveys an increased risk of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder above and beyond other vulnerability factors. Better integration of medical and psychiatric care may prevent premature Parental Death, but once it occurs, physicians should be alert to the increased risk for depression and posttraumatic stress disorder in bereaved offspring and their caregivers.