1.1. Describe the: • social • emotional • physical • behavioural effects that bereavement may have on individual children, young people and adults

This guide will help you answer 1.1. Describe the: • social • emotional • physical • behavioural effects that bereavement may have on individual children, young people and adults.

Bereavement refers to the process of grieving and adjusting after the loss of someone significant. Each person experiences bereavement differently. How individuals respond can depend on their age, personality, coping mechanisms, and support available. Different age groups often exhibit varying effects socially, emotionally, physically, and behaviourally. In this guide, we’ll explore each effect in children, young people, and adults.

Social Effects

Social effects refer to the way bereavement impacts relationships and interaction with others.

Children
For children, bereavement can cause confusion about social roles and expectations. They might begin feeling isolated, especially if they sense that their peers don’t understand their feelings. It’s common for them to feel “different” from their friends, which can affect their confidence and willingness to engage in social activities.

Some children might cling to trusted adults, seeking extra reassurance. Others could withdraw completely, avoiding social interaction altogether. Part of this behaviour might stem from a lack of understanding of what has happened, particularly in younger children who don’t fully grasp the permanence of loss.

Young people
Young people may experience a strain on their friendships. They might feel like their peers don’t know how to react or what to say, leading to feelings of loneliness. This can result in either withdrawing from social situations or seeking solace in groups where they feel understood, such as youth bereavement groups.

At a time when social relationships are typically crucial for teenagers, bereavement can make them feel cut off or as though nobody understands their emotions. Feelings of anger or frustration may also lead to arguments with friends and family.

Adults
For adults, social effects often include changes in family roles. For example, the death of a partner might mean they take on additional responsibilities or parenting roles. This can feel overwhelming and lead to reduced participation in social events.

Some adults may also avoid social gatherings where they’re reminded of their loss or where they fear someone might bring the deceased into conversation. Others might feel abandoned by friends, especially if those friends don’t “check in” or seem unsure how to offer support.

Emotional Effects

Bereavement deeply affects emotions. The person grieving may experience a wide range of feelings, often cycling through different stages of grief.

Children
Young children may not fully understand their feelings, leading to confusion or bursts of unexplained sadness or anger. They may feel a sense of guilt, believing that something they did or didn’t do caused the death. Some children might feel scared, worrying that other loved ones may also die.

Children may also feel neglected. If their parents or caregivers are also grieving, this can unintentionally reduce the emotional support that the child receives during such a difficult time.

Young people
Young people may feel a mixture of sadness, anger, guilt, and even relief depending on their relationship with the deceased. Anger is common, often directed at the person who has died, themselves, or other family members. They may also feel embarrassed about showing sadness in front of friends, leading them to bottle up emotions.

Some young people can experience a heightened sense of guilt. For instance, they may feel regret over unresolved arguments or unexpressed feelings before the loss.

Adults
Adults tend to have a broader understanding of death but this does not lessen their emotional pain. Common emotional effects include overwhelming sadness, frustration, guilt, or helplessness. Adults may also struggle with feelings of regret, particularly if there are things they wish they had said or done before the person died.

Certain losses, such as the death of a child, can also bring profound guilt that affects the grieving process. Adults often try to suppress their emotions, especially if they feel they need to “stay strong” for children or others around them.

Physical Effects

Bereavement doesn’t just affect mental health; it can also take a toll on the body. These physical effects are closely tied to emotional distress.

Children
Children may experience symptoms such as fatigue, difficulty sleeping, or changes in appetite. Physical complaints like headaches or stomachaches are common, though the child may not fully connect these symptoms with their grief. For some children, these physical changes come from a lack of routine during the grieving process.

Sleep disruption can particularly affect their ability to focus, leading to tiredness during school hours and difficulty concentrating in class.

Young people
Young people may also experience disrupted sleep patterns. Their emotional pain might manifest in physical ways, such as muscle tension or unexplained illness. Stress caused by bereavement can lead to a weakened immune system, so illnesses like colds might occur more often.

Some young people may lose interest in eating or turn to over-eating as a form of comfort. Both patterns can have lasting impacts on physical health if not addressed. Physical exhaustion can also result from emotional fatigue, where their bodies feel tired due to constant emotional strain.

Adults
Adults going through bereavement often neglect their physical health. They may lose or gain weight, depending on how grief affects their eating habits. Sleep problems such as insomnia are also common, as the mind struggles to switch off at night.

Stress linked to bereavement can worsen long-term health conditions like heart disease or high blood pressure. Adults may engage in risky behaviours, such as consuming too much alcohol or neglecting regular exercise, as a way of coping with their pain.

Behavioural Effects

The behavioural effects of bereavement differ greatly between individuals and age groups. These changes might reflect how each person is processing their emotions or their attempt to cope.

Children
Children often show their grief through changes in behaviour. Younger children may regress to earlier stages of development, such as bedwetting or thumb-sucking. They may become more clingy, refusing to leave a parent’s side.

For some children, angry outbursts or temper tantrums may increase as they struggle to process confusing feelings. They may also act out to gain attention or as a way of expressing emotions that they don’t fully understand or can’t verbally communicate.

Young people
It’s common for young people to exhibit risk-taking behaviours after a bereavement. For example, some may experiment with alcohol or drugs to numb their pain. Others may withdraw into themselves, refusing to participate in previously enjoyed activities or skipping school.

Teenagers may test boundaries at home, arguing more frequently or rejecting authority figures as a way of coping with emotional pain. Conversely, some young people throw themselves into activities, hobbies, or studies to distract themselves.

Adults
Adults’ behaviour might include withdrawing from others or overworking to avoid their emotions. Some may become more irritable or quick to anger as grief overwhelms them. These behavioural responses can put pressure on relationships, especially within families.

There’s also a chance that bereaved adults take up unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as smoking, drinking, or over-relying on medication, as a way to block out their emotions. Alternatively, they might lose interest in routines, neglecting responsibilities or previously enjoyed hobbies.

The Importance of Support

Support for someone who is bereaved is crucial. While no two grieving processes are the same, a key part of working in health and social care is recognising these social, emotional, physical, and behavioural effects and helping individuals access the support they need to cope.

If you are working with someone experiencing bereavement, listen to their concerns and validate their feelings. Encourage contact with counselling services where appropriate, and suggest activities that will help them rebuild their routine and take care of their physical health.

By being empathetic, patient, and knowledgeable about the possible effects of bereavement, you can help individuals of all ages begin to process their loss in a constructive way.