Percepções e vivências do luto infantil: uma revisão narrativa da literatura brasileira

Abstract

This article’s aim is to systematize the knowledge about childhood mourning, to identify how it works, as well as to verify possible symptoms and what factors influence its development. Based on Brazilian literature, a narrative review was carried out, based on an electronic search in the Scielo and Lilacs databases. The following descriptors were used for the research: “mourning” (and) “childhood” and “mourning” (and) “child”. The inclusion criteria were Brazilian articles corresponding to the theme of the experience of mourning for children; the publication year of the articles wasn't used as criteria. It’s been noticed a strong silence in Western culture with regard to grief and death, especially with regard to the children's universe. Therefore it is necessary to understand this experience as natural to the human existence, and not to pathologize it. In view of the results, it is observed a need for further studies in the area in order to develop guidelines that can form a base to the management of such a moment, not only in the field of Psychology but also in multidisciplinary teams and related areas.