Comparative Analysis of Childhood Depression and Self-Esteem among Orphan Girls and Boys

Death of a parental figure has strong affect upon the psychological as well as physical health of their children in Pakistan, probably because Pakistani families are traditionally characterized by a strong emotional bonding and dependency among the family members. Thus when parent dies it hurts the child more because of loosening the strength of bond and nurturance among the family members. The loss of parent has a long lasting influence on children and can disrupt the normal functioning of bereaved children. In reality mother and father play very significant and different role for their children throughout their life span. The father usually acts as a breadwinner and protector and mother acts as a homemaker and primary care taker of the several dependent children. Death is referred as a cause of permanent loss because the children cannot rebuild their family and have no chance to meet the lost parent again in their lives so they feel helpless and hopeless which can lead them to depression [1]. They may start thinking that future is hopeless and they cannot do anything to make it better. Sometimes sense of guilt is produced in depression, they evaluate themselves in a negative way, have poor self concept, low self-esteem which may further increase their depression.