The farewell in childhood: Cognitive and socio-emotional repercussions of grief in child development

Abstract

Childhood grief is a complex experience that has repercussions on the child's cognitive and psychosocial development. This study aimed to describe the repercussions of grief on child development. To this end, an integrative review of the literature was conducted in Google Scholar and BVS, considering articles published between 2020 and 2024 in Portuguese. The final sample consisted of 15 articles. The results show that the way children experience grief is related to their stage of development, the clarity of the information they receive, and family support. Strategies such as the use of play, children's stories, projective techniques, and participation in rituals proved to be effective in dealing with grief. At the same time, approaches such as Psychoanalysis, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Bioecological Theory of Human Development have made relevant contributions. There was also a scarcity of empirical studies with bereaved children, revealing ethical and methodological obstacles. The conclusion is that sensitive communication and emotional support are fundamental for healthy coping with loss in childhood.