PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT FOR A CHILD EXPERIENCING THE LOSS OF A CLOSE PERSON

Abstract

The article addresses the important issue of providing assistance to children experiencing the loss of a loved one. A theoretical analysis of the problem of psychological support for children undergoing severe loss in the context of contemporary social challenges and wartime events in Ukraine has been carried out. The relevance of the study is обусловлена the sharp increase in the number of children who have lost parents, relatives, or friends as a result of the war, which causes profound psycho-emotional experiences and requires professional psychological support. It is emphasized that the death of a loved one is one of the most traumatic events in a child’s life and may have long-term consequences for the individual’s mental, emotional, and social development.

The paper highlights the main theoretical approaches to understanding children’s grief and psychological trauma. Scientific views of both foreign and Ukrainian researchers are analyzed.

It has been determined that children’s grief is individual in nature and may manifest through emotional, behavioral, cognitive, and somatic symptoms. Particular attention is paid to the phenomenon of childhood traumatic grief, in which symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder block the natural process of coping with loss.

The essence of the concepts of “grief,” “experiencing,” and “mourning” is revealed, and their common and distinctive features are characterized. It has been established that grief is a dynamic process of adaptation to loss accompanied by changes in the child’s behavior, thinking, physical, and emotional state. The main symptoms of normal grief in children of different ages are described, including anxiety, fear, depressive reactions, aggression, somatic disorders, difficulties in learning, and social interaction. It is emphasized that the absence of timely psychological assistance may lead to chronic depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and social maladaptation.

The article substantiates the importance of psychological support for a child experiencing the loss of a loved one. Psychological support is defined as a complex of psychological, pedagogical, and socio-emotional measures aimed at creating a safe environment for experiencing grief, stabilizing the emotional state, developing the child’s internal resources, and supporting adaptation to new life conditions. Effective methods of psychological assistance for children are outlined, including art therapy, play therapy, writing letters to the deceased, creating memory books, psychological support groups, and remembrance rituals. Attention is focused on the need to consider children’s age characteristics and the importance of adult participation in the process of supporting the child.

Prospects for further research related to the study of the impact of early loss on the formation of a child’s personality, the development of attachment, self-esteem, resilience, and interpersonal relationships are identified. Another promising direction is the study of the effectiveness of modern psychotherapeutic programs and methods of psychological assistance for children experiencing loss in wartime conditions.