Patterns of grief in young children following the death of a sibling

Specific grief behaviors observed in children ages 4-16 years in the 2 years after the death of a sibling are reported. Using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), the parents of 90 boys and girls rated the occurrence of behavior problems in their children. Behavior problems identified in 50% or more of the children are reported both for the total sample and by age and sex groups. The behaviors commonly observed in the bereaved children predominanty fell into the Agression subscale of the standardized CBCL. It is suggested that bereaved children use aggressive behaviors instrumentally to gain parental attention, rather than as an instinctual expression of hostility and anger.