Abstract We aimed to examine the subtype classification characteristics of depressive symptoms in Shidu parents (SDPs, parents who have lost their only child) and their associations with resilience and coping styles. The sample comprised 182 SDPs (Mean age = 59.93 ± 7.41 years, 61.5% females). Latent profile analysis and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the data. Three subgroups of depressive symptoms in SDPs were identified: the depression and pessimism group (38.4%), the low depression symptoms group (30.8%), and the well...