Links between Bereavement Due to Sudden Death and Academic Functioning: Results from a Nationally Representative Sample of Adolescents
Saved in:
| Title: | Links between Bereavement Due to Sudden Death and Academic Functioning: Results from a Nationally Representative Sample of Adolescents |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Oosterhoff, Benjamin, Kaplow, Julie B., Layne, Christopher M. |
| Source: | School Psychology Quarterly. Sep 2018 33(3):372-380. |
| Availability: | American Psychological Association. Journals Department, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002. Tel: 800-374-2721; Tel: 202-336-5510; Fax: 202-336-5502; e-mail: order@apa.org; Web site: http://www.apa.org |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 9 |
| Publication Date: | 2018 |
| Sponsoring Agency: | Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (DHHS/PHS) National Institute of Mental Health (DHHS/NIH) National Institute on Drug Abuse (DHHS/PHS) |
| Contract Number: | SM16008 U01MH60220 R01DA016558 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Grief, Death, Adolescents, Incidence, Risk, Youth, Trauma, Academic Achievement, Mental Health |
| DOI: | 10.1037/spq0000254 |
| ISSN: | 1045-3830 |
| Abstract: | Bereavement due to sudden loss may disrupt positive adjustment among youth, yet few studies have examined the age at which youth are most likely to first encounter sudden loss, the co-occurrence of sudden loss with other traumatic events, and the independent effects of sudden loss on academic functioning. Data were analyzed from the National Comorbidity Survey--Adolescent Supplement (N = 10,148, M[subscript age] = 15.18, 51.1% female). Youth reported on whether they had experienced sudden loss (along with 17 other traumatic events), the age at which they had "first" experienced sudden loss, and multiple indicators of academic functioning. Sudden loss was the most frequently occurring traumatic event among youth; approximately 30% of adolescents reported at least one sudden loss in their lifetime. Youth were most likely to have first experienced sudden loss during middle adolescence (15 to 16 years of age). Although sudden loss co-occurred with several other traumas, about 10% of youth reported experiencing "only" sudden loss. After accounting for demographic characteristics and other traumatic events, experiencing sudden loss was associated with lower academic achievement, lower ability to concentrate and learn, less enjoyment of school, lower school belongingness, and lower beliefs that teachers treat youth fairly. Sudden loss is common among adolescents and has important implications for school functioning. Schools may improve academic functioning by adopting routine screening for sudden loss and assessing potential need for bereavement-informed mental health services. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Number of References: | 23 |
| Entry Date: | 2018 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1191914 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Bereavement due to sudden loss may disrupt positive adjustment among youth, yet few studies have examined the age at which youth are most likely to first encounter sudden loss, the co-occurrence of sudden loss with other traumatic events, and the independent effects of sudden loss on academic functioning. Data were analyzed from the National Comorbidity Survey--Adolescent Supplement (N = 10,148, M[subscript age] = 15.18, 51.1% female). Youth reported on whether they had experienced sudden loss (along with 17 other traumatic events), the age at which they had "first" experienced sudden loss, and multiple indicators of academic functioning. Sudden loss was the most frequently occurring traumatic event among youth; approximately 30% of adolescents reported at least one sudden loss in their lifetime. Youth were most likely to have first experienced sudden loss during middle adolescence (15 to 16 years of age). Although sudden loss co-occurred with several other traumas, about 10% of youth reported experiencing "only" sudden loss. After accounting for demographic characteristics and other traumatic events, experiencing sudden loss was associated with lower academic achievement, lower ability to concentrate and learn, less enjoyment of school, lower school belongingness, and lower beliefs that teachers treat youth fairly. Sudden loss is common among adolescents and has important implications for school functioning. Schools may improve academic functioning by adopting routine screening for sudden loss and assessing potential need for bereavement-informed mental health services. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1045-3830 |
| DOI: | 10.1037/spq0000254 |
