Psychosocial Processes Following Child Loss: Grief, Social Support, and Depression in Mothers

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Naz N., Güçlü D. M.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH, cilt.19, sa.1, ss.43-53, 2026 (SSCI, Scopus)

• Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
• Cilt numarası: 19 Sayı: 1
• Basım Tarihi: 2026
• Doi Numarası: 10.21500/20112084.8469
• Dergi Adı: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH
• Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Scopus, Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Fuente Academica Plus, IBZ Online, Psicodoc, Psycinfo, DIALNET
• Sayfa Sayıları: ss.43-53
• İstanbul Gelişim Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

This study examined the relationships among grief, perceived social support, and depression in mothers who
experienced the loss of a child. A cross-sectional design was employed with a sample of 300 bereaved mothers
(Mage = 36.20, SD = 8.46) residing in Türkiye. Data were collected using the Two-Dimensional Grief Scale, the
Beck Depression Inventory, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. A two-step Structural
Equation Modeling approach was used to test the proposed model, in which grief was examined as a potential
mediator of the relationship between perceived social support and depression. Results indicated that perceived
social support was negatively associated with both grief symptoms (β = −.41, p < .001) and depressive symptoms
(β = −.26, p < .001), while grief was positively associated with depression (β = .51, p < .001). The indirect effect
of perceived social support on depression through grief was statistically significant (β = −.21, p < .001, 90%
CI [−.28, −.13]), indicating partial mediation. Model fit indices were within acceptable ranges (χ²/df = 1.41,
CFI = .99, RMSEA = .04). These findings suggest that child loss represents a multidimensional psychosocial
experience with emotional, relational, and cognitive dimensions, and highlight perceived social support as a
central protective factor in post-loss adjustment among bereaved mothers.