Early parental loss can affect children’s emotional well-being — Rev. Benjamin Boateng

The death of a parent at an early age can have lasting emotional and psychological effects on children, depending on their developmental stage and the support they receive, Rev. Benjamin Boateng has observed.

He made the observation while discussing the impact of losing a parent during childhood on Nyansapo Fie, Plan B FM’s family, relationship and lifestyle programme, hosted by Akosua Gyamfua.

Rev. Boateng explained that children respond differently to parental loss depending on their age. According to him, preschool-aged children may perceive death as temporary and engage in magical thinking, believing that their thoughts or actions can influence events.

For children between the ages of six and 12, grief may manifest through physical complaints, such as stomach aches, or difficulty concentrating. He noted that a supportive foster parent or caregiver can help children adapt to their new circumstances, while maltreatment may deepen their distress and emotional pain.

He added that teenagers between the ages of 13 and 18 generally have a more mature understanding of death and its permanence. At this stage, the support of foster parents, friends, family members and society becomes particularly important in helping them cope with the loss.

Rev. Boateng also discussed differences in how families may adjust following the death of a mother or father. He observed that when a mother dies, the loss can be particularly difficult for children, especially when the surviving father remarries and the family must adjust to a new caregiver.

He further raised concerns about possible maltreatment by stepmothers, noting that a child’s relationship with a new parental figure can influence their adjustment. He suggested that involving children in discussions about a new marriage may help build a stronger connection within the family.

Rev. Boateng warned that some children who experience emotional and psychological trauma following the death of a parent may withdraw from others. He stressed that when such children do not receive the necessary support from their caregivers, their distress may persist.

He therefore emphasised the importance of providing children who lose a parent with care, understanding and emotional support to help them navigate grief and adjust to changes in their family lives.

By: Lydia Owusu