title: Comparing cognitive, relational and stress mechanisms underlying gender differences in recovery from bereavement-related internalizing problems.
abstract: Four putative mediators underlying gender differences in youths' recovery from bereavement-related internalizing problems were examined in a sample (N = 109; age range = 8-16 years at the initial assessment) of parentally bereaved youth: intrusive thoughts about grief, postdeath stressors, negative appraisals of postdeath stressors, and fear of abandonment. A three-wave parallel process longitudinal growth model design was employed. Changes in internalizing problems and mediators were measured as a function of months since the death. Girls showed stability in depression symptoms and a slight rise in anxiety symptoms; boys' trajectories of symptoms of anxiety and depression declined. Girls' higher initial levels of postdeath stressors, threat appraisals and fear of abandonment mediated their higher level of internalizing problems 14 months later. Girls' higher initial fear of abandonment also mediated additional growth in anxiety relative to boys.
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA. Michelle.little@utsa.edu
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Little
authors.forename: Irwin N
authors.initials: IN
authors.lastname: Sandler
authors.forename: Sharlene A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Wolchik
authors.forename: Jenn-Yun
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Tein
authors.forename: Tim S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Ayers
mesh_terms: D001601:Bereavement; D002648:Child; D003071:Cognition; D003289:Convalescence; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires