Impact of sibling death on children's behavior

Research has indicated that siblings of deceased children demonstrate a variety of behavioral problems as a result of the death. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of selected factors and children's behavior during the first year following the siblings' deaths. The sample included 33 boys and 32 girls ages 4 to 16 years who were the siblings of deceased children. Data on their behavior was obtained by an interview with the mothers using a standardized tool, the Child Behavior Checklist. Results showed that the bereaved children displayed significantly more behavior problems in comparison to standardized norms. The variables of age, place of death, family size, ill child's diagnosis, sex and age of deceased child, and funeral attendance were related to behavior problems in the surviving children.