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Compreensão Emocional da Morte Pelas Crianças em Idade Pré-escolar: Uma Dimensão Esquecida
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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Introdução: É ainda parca a evidência científica quanto ao entendimento que as crianças têm sobre o conceito de morte, recentemente apontado pela International Children’s Palliative Care Network como área prioritária de investigação. Em particular, a evicção da emoção nesta área de investigação é uma lacuna importante. Este estudo visa desenvolver uma visão aprofundada da dimensão emocional da compreensão da morte pela criança, procurando, também, relacioná-la com a dimensão cognitiva.
Material e Métodos: Entrevistámos crianças (três a seis anos), com recurso a um livro ilustrando o cenário hipotético em que uma criança se deparava com a de morte de um familiar. Colocámos questões para avaliar os subconceitos cognitivos da morte e a dimensão emocional (o que sentiria a criança e o que lhe devia ser dito pelos pais).
Resultados: Dos 54 participantes, a maioria disse que a criança se sentiria triste (n = 46, 85%) e que os pais deveriam informá-la (n = 47, 87%); estas respostas não variaram significativamente com a idade. A compreensão cognitiva do conceito de morte das crianças que referiram a tristeza foi significativamente superior.
Discussão: Mesmo as crianças mais pequenas sentem a morte, não sendo possível desligar as compreensões cognitiva e emocional. Adicionalmente, as crianças devem ser informadas, com vista a uma elaboração adequada e multidimensional da morte. Conclusão: Este estudo fornece informação valiosa aos profissionais de saúde e outros adultos interessados sobre a forma como a criança em idade pré-escolar se posiciona em relação à morte.
Introduction: Scientific evidence regarding children’s understanding of the concept of death is scarce. This has recently been pointed out by the International Children’s Palliative Care Network as a priority area of research. In particular, the avoidance of emotion in this area of research is an important shortcoming. This study aims to develop an in-depth view of the emotional dimension of the child’s understanding of death, also seeking to relate it to the cognitive dimension. Material and Methods: We interviewed children (three to six years old) using a book illustrating a hypothetical scenario in which a child faced the death of a relative. We asked questions to assess the cognitive subconcepts of death and the emotional dimension (what the child would feel and what parents should say). Results: Of the 54 participants, the majority said that the child would feel sad (n = 46, 85%) and that parents should inform her/him (n = 47, 87%); these responses did not vary significantly with age. The cognitive understanding of the concept of death in children who reported sadness was significantly higher. Discussion: Even the youngest children feel death, and it is not possible to disconnect cognitive and emotional understanding. Additionally, children should be informed in order to foster a proper and multidimensional elaboration of death. Conclusion: This study provides valuable information to health professionals and other interested adults about the way preschoolers position themselves in relation to death
Introduction: Scientific evidence regarding children’s understanding of the concept of death is scarce. This has recently been pointed out by the International Children’s Palliative Care Network as a priority area of research. In particular, the avoidance of emotion in this area of research is an important shortcoming. This study aims to develop an in-depth view of the emotional dimension of the child’s understanding of death, also seeking to relate it to the cognitive dimension. Material and Methods: We interviewed children (three to six years old) using a book illustrating a hypothetical scenario in which a child faced the death of a relative. We asked questions to assess the cognitive subconcepts of death and the emotional dimension (what the child would feel and what parents should say). Results: Of the 54 participants, the majority said that the child would feel sad (n = 46, 85%) and that parents should inform her/him (n = 47, 87%); these responses did not vary significantly with age. The cognitive understanding of the concept of death in children who reported sadness was significantly higher. Discussion: Even the youngest children feel death, and it is not possible to disconnect cognitive and emotional understanding. Additionally, children should be informed in order to foster a proper and multidimensional elaboration of death. Conclusion: This study provides valuable information to health professionals and other interested adults about the way preschoolers position themselves in relation to death
Description
Keywords
Atitude Perante a Morte Criança em Idade Pré-escolar Cuidados Paliativos Psicologia da Criança
Citation
Silva FM, Lopes AF, Carneiro V, Campelo Á. Compreensão Emocional da Morte Pelas Crianças em Idade Pré-escolar: Uma Dimensão Esquecida [Preschool Children's Emotional Understanding of Death: A Forgotten Dimension]. Acta Med Port. 2020 Oct 1;33(10):649-656. Portuguese. doi: 10.20344/amp.12815. Epub 2020 Oct 1. PMID: 33135620.
Publisher
Centro Editor Livreiro da Ordem dos Médicos