Suicide-Bereaved Children and Adolescents: a Controlled Longitudinal Examination

26 suicide-bereaved children, age 5-17 years, were compared with 332 children bereaved from parental death due to other causes in interviews 1, 6, 13, & 25 months after the death. Suicide-bereaved children were more likely to experience anxiety, anger, & shame than non-suicide bereaved children. Suicide-bereaved children were more likely to have preexisting behavioural problems & more behavioural & anxiety symptoms throughout the first 2 years. Indices of depression, suicidality, & psychosocial functioning differed minimally between groups. (28 refs.)