Research on How a Parent’s Death Affects Children’s School Performance

Losing a parent is extremely difficult for children and can cause serious consequences. Some kids may feel deep sadness, stress, or even lose motivation. They might also struggle with school and aim lower in their education, even in places where college is free.

A study published in JAMA Network Open examined how losing a parent before the age of 17 affects children’s school performance. It also focused on grades and eligibility for further education.

The results showed that children who lost a parent tended to have lower school grades compared to their classmates. On average, their grades dropped by a small amount and they were more likely to miss out on moving to upper secondary school.

The child’s age at the time of loss also mattered. Kids aged 13 to 16 were more affected, but this pattern wasn’t as strong when looking at siblings. The impact also depended on the parent who passed away and the circumstances, like if the father died, the cause of death was natural, or the mother had a higher level of education.

This study is important because it shows how losing a parent can have a lasting impact on a child’s education. To help these children, extra support, like tutoring or counseling, can help them stay on track academically.

Understanding the Research

This study looked at how losing a parent before the age of 17 affects children’s school performance. It followed children in Sweden who were born between 1991 and 2000, using information from national health and school databases.

The study compared children who lost a parent with those who didn’t, and also compared siblings who experienced parental loss at different ages to see how the timing of the loss affected their grades and chances of going to higher education.

Several factors that could affect outcomes were considered, like the parents’ education level, income, and health. It also looked at the cause of death (natural causes, accidents, or suicide) and the child’s gender, among other things.

To get the most accurate results, the study used different types of analysis, including comparing siblings. This way, they could account for factors shared between siblings, like family environment, which helped make the findings more reliable.

These were the findings: 

• Bereaved children, on average, had lower school grades, and their academic performance was worse than non-bereaved children. They were also more likely to be ineligible for upper secondary education.
• Children who lost their fathers seemed to be more affected in terms of school performance than those who lost their mothers — though both types of loss were associated with poorer outcomes.
• When siblings who lost a parent early were compared to siblings who lost a parent later, the impact on their school grades was smaller. The bereaved children still had slightly lower grades, but the difference was not as big as it was when compared to all children in the population.
• Boys and girls were affected the same way by losing a parent in terms of school performance. The negative effects were similar for both genders.

Practical Strategies for Parents and Caregivers

Given the findings of this study, it’s clear that losing a parent can affect a child’s academic performance. But what can we do to support their children through such a challenging time?

Allow them to talk about their emotions

Check in and listen to how the child is feeling. They may be sad, angry, or confused — but they should know that it’s okay to express those feelings. Caring adults can validate a child’s emotions by saying something like: “You’re feeling sad, and that’s completely okay. It’s normal to have those feelings.” or “It’s okay to cry if you need to. You don't have to hold it in.”

Here are more daily feelings check-in ideas for kids. 

Follow a structured routine

Routines are especially important for grieving children who have lost a parent because they provide a sense of stability during an otherwise chaotic time. Here are some examples of routines:

• Wake up at the same time each day.
• Eat a healthy breakfast together to start the day positively.
• Set a specific time for homework or study.
• Include a break time for relaxation, like a short walk or snack.
• Let them enjoy a quiet, screen-free period before bed (which includes listening to soothing music or practicing relaxation techniques). 

Tip: Incorporate self-care practices into their routine in simple yet impactful ways. Download this handout with 101 self-care ideas for kids and teens. 

Consider enrolling the child in tutoring sessions

These resources may help to bridge any gap in their learning caused by emotional distress. A tutor can offer personalized attention so that the child may work through their difficulties at their own pace without feeling pressured to keep up. 

Utilize therapeutic services

Consider connecting your child with a grief or trauma therapist, or with an organization in your area that provides grief support groups for kids to help them cope with the impact of the loss. Camp Erin is a nation-wide organization that offers yearly grief camps for kids, teens, and families who have experienced the death of someone close to them.

The authors suggest that children who lose a parent need extra school support, and more research is needed to understand what causes their challenges to help prevent long-term problems.

Check out our Grief Worksheets and Feelings Worksheets to help children process their emotions and deal with loss in a healthy way.