A child’s response to death will depend on the circumstances of their loss and the relationship with the deceased (Johnston, J. 1999). Children suffer pain and loss as intensely as adults and also experience shock and denial (Tatelbaum, J. 1997). Bereaved children struggle to maintain their state of balance by using the resources available to their stage of Development (Buirski, C.P. 1994). Erik Erikson's (1980) Epigenetic Stages of Development theory helps examine early childhood bereavement with the emphasis on their development context.
The first of Erikson's stages, 1 year-18 months, Trust vs Mistrust, the challenge is to develop a sense that the world is safe a “good place” (Erikson, 1980). Children at this age do not have an understanding
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Freud describes the idea that the root to mourning and melancholia in the sense of loss of another person but is related to our relationship with ourselves-our narcissism (Green, V. 2013). “According to Freud, grief's function is to detach thoughts and feelings from the dead so that the bereaved can reinvest their energy in new relationships and thus move on with their life” (Kouriatis, K., & Brown, D., 2011, p. 208).
Bowlby, (1961) as cited by Kouriatis & Brown, (2011) applied attachment theory to grief and loss and described four phrases of children's grief that are similar to adult mourning: Emotional numbing and disbelief; yearning and searching; disorganization and despair; and finally reorganization of the representation of the deceased. Elizabeth kubler-Ross and William, J. Warden' models of grief will be discussed
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Signs of regression may appear and the child may revert to earlier problem behaviour such as bed-wetting, tantrums or lose their appetite. The child may reject old friends, they may not be able to concentrate in school (Goldman, 2004). Tatelbaum (1997) notes any sudden personality change may indicate that a child is struggling with grieving. This can lead to depression with symptoms such as withdrawal, nightmares, listlessness headaches and finally stomach aches. In addition to these signs, it is important to understand the concept that underlie