They defend against their painful grief by participating in school and social activities. At this age, children suffer from loss of self-esteem related to perceptions of being different because they lost an important loved one. Support from parents and other adults is important for healthy adaptation. They manifest episodic, ambivalent emotions about the loss that reflect their developmental impulses for greater independence. They may feel resentful and angry, and they may exhibit intense emotional variability and withdrawal from parents.
Young adolescents avoid expressions of grief and discussions about the death.
Their adjustment is facilitated by consistent peer relationships and participation of supportive adults. Older adolescents experience sustained feelings of sadness, anxiety and anger. They frequently deny their grief, however. They confide about the loss to peers, rather than to parents, and adapt by participating in school and social activities. Psychosocial Issues Children's prior emotional and behavioral characteristics may affect their grief.