Constellation, le dépôt institutionnel de l'Université du Québec à Chicoutimi

Résumé

Background. The transition to adulthood is a critical period in psychosocial development, marked by intense identity formation and emotional adjustment. Adverse childhood experiences—such as the loss of a parent—can have lasting effects on the mental health of emerging adults.

Methodology. In November 2024, a large-scale online survey was conducted across 77 post-secondary institutions in Quebec (Canada) to explore the determinants of student complete mental health. A total of 32,790 students completed the questionnaire, among whom 507 had experienced maternal loss and 858 had experienced paternal loss."

Objectives and hypothesis. This presentation has three key objectives:

1. To provide a comprehensive overview of the complete mental health status of these young adults;

2. To compare mental health outcomes between students who experienced parental loss and those who did not;

3. To assess how individual factors—such as self-esteem and identity—relate to psychological indicators like anxiety, depression, and life satisfaction, and to determine whether these associations differ based on orphan status.

We hypothesize that these individual determinants may have a greater impact on the complete mental health of young adults who experienced early parental bereavement.

Results and discussion. This cross-sectional quantitative study contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the mental health of young adults who experienced early parental loss. The findings aim to guide the development of targeted prevention and intervention strategies for students affected by adverse childhood experiences. By shedding light on the long-term impact of parental bereavement, the study supports the implementation of timely, tailored responses within both educational environments and family systems at the time of loss. Aligned with the conference themes, our presentation will explore: the mental health and well-being of children and young adults in alternative care as trauma-informed practices in caregiving settings. Findings from this cross-sectional quantitative study aim to inform targeted mental health prevention and intervention strategies for students affected by adverse childhood experiences. A deeper understanding of the long-term impact of parental loss may support the development of timely, tailored responses in both educational settings and family contexts at the time of bereavement. In line with the themes of the conference, our presentation will address the following topics: Mental health and well-being of children as well as trauma-informed practices in alternative care settings.