EVALUATION OF FAMILY STRUCTURE AND PARENTAL LOSS AND PEER BULLYING AS RISK FACTORS FOR CHILDHOOD DEPRESSION: A SCHOOL-BASED DESCRIPTIVE-CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Depressive symptoms after parental loss are a natural phenomenon, tagged with loss of support, financial constraints and disruptive routine. The loss of parent may be further enhanced in cases of painful divorces. At the same time bullying is considered as a major psychological trauma for growing children. This study was conducted to evaluate depression in school children following parental loss resulting in change in family structure and also with the history of peer bullying. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in school going children. A total of 1000 children were evaluated aged between 5 to 15 years. Out of these 42 children had a history of parental loss within last two years while 12 had lost their parents more than two years ago. Depression was reported in 61 students and showed significant association with loss of parent, both by death or divorce. Bullying also showed significant association with depression. In conclusion, children having history of parent loss and bullying showed significant association of depression. Therefore, mental health support for these both group of children should be considered even if they do not show apparent signs of depression.