Psychosocial Processes Following Child Loss: Grief, Social Support, and Depression in Mothers Procesos psicosociales tras la pérdida de un hijo: duelo, apoyo social y depresión en madres
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: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Fuente Academica Plus, IBZ Online, Psicodoc, Psycinfo, DIALNET, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.43-53
- Anahtar Kelimeler: bereavement, child loss, depression, Grief, perceived social support
- 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.