The Relationship Between Seeking Psychological Help and Mental Resilience and Post-Traumatic Growth Among Emerging Adults Who Experienced Parental Loss During Their School Years

Parental loss during childhood is a traumatic event that disrupts the familiar course of life and has lasting emotional and functional consequences throughout a person’s life. The present study focuses on the potential for positive psychological changes following parental loss, based on the theory of post-traumatic growth (PTG). The aim of the study is to examine the relationships between willingness to seek psychological help and levels of mental resilience and their association with post-traumatic growth among emerging adults (ages 18–29) who experienced parental loss during their school years (ages 9–18). In this correlational cross-sectional study, 173 emerging adults participated by completing four questionnaires: a demographic questionnaire describing, among other things, the characteristics of the loss; a personal resilience scale; an attitudes questionnaire regarding willingness to seek psychological help; and a post-traumatic growth inventory (PTGI). The findings indicate significant positive correlations between mental resilience and willingness to seek help and post- traumatic growth among adolescents who experienced parental loss during their school years. The independent variables were found to be significant predictors of the development of post-traumatic growth following parental loss. The study confirmed the hypothesis that more years since the loss are associated with higher levels of post-traumatic growth. However, no differences were found in PTG levels between participants who lost their parents suddenly and those who experienced a non-sudden loss. This research highlights the long-term psychological effects of parental loss on emerging adults and discusses implications for the roles of psychologists and school counselors.