Parental Deprivation and Social Adaptation Problems in Children in Developmental Psychology

This doctoral thesis examines the profound effects of parental loss on children’s social, emotional, and cognitive development. Parental deprivation significantly compromises children’s sense of security, disrupting social competence and empathy levels. In-depth interviews conducted with 200 children and families in Manila, Philippines, reveal that children who lack parental support struggle to establish strong social bonds and often experience heightened levels of loneliness and social anxiety. This deprivation contributes to emotional and cognitive constriction, limiting children’s ability to express themselves effectively in social interactions. Findings highlight the critical role of supportive social networks—particularly relatives, teachers, and peers—in facilitating children’s adaptation processes. The study underscores that parental loss leaves lasting psychological imprints on children, emphasizing the importance of early intervention programs to foster healthy relationship-building and mitigate the long-term social and emotional consequences of parental deprivation.