Following the death of a child, what is the most likely change in a family?

The most likely change in a family following the death of a child is often parental divorce. The loss of a child is an extremely traumatic experience that can significantly impact the emotional and psychological well-being of the parents. Each parent may process their grief differently, leading to misunderstandings and conflicts. The stress and sorrow can create a rift in the relationship as couples may not be able to effectively support one another during such a profound loss.

In cases of intense grief, some parents may find it challenging to maintain the same level of emotional intimacy they had prior to the tragedy. They might also disagree on how to grieve or how to handle the surviving children. Over time, this can lead to an increased likelihood of separation or divorce as they navigate their grief in potentially divergent ways.

While the other options reflect serious potential outcomes in a grieving family, they are generally less common compared to the risk of parental divorce. Factors leading to neglect, abuse, or even a child committing suicide may arise from unresolved grief, but the primary response in many families tends to be strain in the parental relationship.