Supporting the Grieving Child and Family
Date
2016
Journal Title
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Publisher
American Academy of Pediatrics
Abstract
The death of someone close to a child often has a profound and lifelong abstract
effect on the child and results in a range of both short- and long-term
reactions. Pediatricians, within a patient-centered medical home, are in
an excellent position to provide anticipatory guidance to caregivers and
to offer assistance and support to children and families who are grieving.
This clinical report offers practical suggestions on how to talk with
grieving children to help them better understand what has happened and
its implications and to address any misinformation, misinterpretations,
or misconceptions. An understanding of guilt, shame, and other common
reactions, as well an appreciation of the role of secondary losses and
the unique challenges facing children in communities characterized by
chronic trauma and cumulative loss, will help the pediatrician to address
factors that may impair grieving and children’s adjustment and to identify
complicated mourning and situations when professional counseling is
indicated. Advice on how to support children’s participation in funerals
and other memorial services and to anticipate and address grief triggers
and anniversary reactions is provided so that pediatricians are in a better
position to advise caregivers and to offer consultation to schools, early
education and child care facilities, and other child congregate care sites.
Pediatricians often enter their profession out of a profound desire to
minimize the suffering of children and may find it personally challenging
when they find themselves in situations in which they are asked to bear
witness to the distress of children who are acutely grieving. The importance
of professional preparation and self-care is therefore emphasized, and
resources are recommended.
Description
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Keywords
grief, death, pediatricians, psycho-social support
Citation
Schonfeld, D. J., Demaria, T., & Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health, Disaster Preparedness Advisory Council (2016). Supporting the Grieving Child and Family. Pediatrics, 138(3), e 20162147.