Incidence of Parental Loss in Children With Depressed Mood*

Juvenile Offenders

“…A comparison with the findings of other writers is interesting: Caplan & Douglas (1969), in a group of 71 depressed children, found a direct relationship between the later depression and early parental "separation due to death, divorce, desertion, illness or foster home placement". Tuckman & R egun (1966) found in their study-of 'home and behavioural problems in children' that "all varieties of broken homes were over-represented in the clinic population" whilst "intact homes were under-represented".…”

Counselling bereaved children and their families

“…Studies of depressed adults attending psychiatric clinics have shown a higher incidence of childhood bereavement than in a control group (Granville Grossman, 1968, Birtchnell, 1972. The ages at which children seem most vulnerable to loss are 3-5 years and at adolescence, and other studies have indicated that depression and school refusal are common symptoms (Black, 1974, Arthur & Kemme, 1964, Caplan & Douglas, 1969. Girls losing fathers in adolescence seem especially vulnerable to depression in adult life.…”

The Bereaved Child

“…Caplan and Douglas (1969) found that in a group of bereaved children attending a clinic, depressed mood was significantly associated with placement in a Children's Home. Caplan and Douglas (1969) found that in a group of bereaved children attending a clinic, depressed mood was significantly associated with placement in a Children's Home.…”