In the Harvard Child Bereavement Study, children who coped well with loss tended to come from what type of family?

• A. Divorced
• B. Inclusive
• C. Non-communicative
• D. Cohesive

Answer: (D)

Fostering a sense of connectedness and support within the family helps children process a loss more effectively. When a family is cohesive, members are emotionally close, communicate openly about feelings, and maintain routines and mutual support. This environment gives the child a reliable place to express grief, seek help, and learn coping strategies, which reduces confusion and anxiety during bereavement. The Harvard Child Bereavement Study found that children from cohesive families tended to show better emotional adjustment and fewer behavioral problems after a loss, illustrating how strong family bonds serve as a protective factor. In contrast, being from a non-communicative environment makes it harder to share feelings and get support, and the other descriptions don’t capture the protective dynamic identified in the study.