63% of children with pets will face their death during the first seven years of their young existence.
- The death of a pet is often associated with symptoms of pronounced mental disorders in children.
- Parents and doctors should identify them and take them seriously.
We can tell ourselves that they are only animals, all those who have a dog, a cat, a turtle or even a hamster know that its disappearance generates sadness. And in children, this confrontation with death can be traumatic (certainly more for the disappearance of the dog than that of the goldfish, we grant you).
take them seriously
“One of the first big losses a child will likely encounter will be the death of a pet, and the impact can be traumatic, especially when that pet is considered a member of the family,” explains Katherine Crawford, director of the study. “We found that the experience of pet death is often associated with symptoms of pronounced mental disorders in children. Parents and physicians should identify and take them seriously,” continues the expert.
Our dogs and cats secure children in terms of affection, protection and comfort. Additionally, toddlers often look to pets to express their emotions. The attachment to the animal is generally made very quickly, from a very young age.
Young boys more affected
The reactions of 6,260 children were analyzed. “Thanks to this cohort, we were able to analyze the mental and emotional health of children after the death of a pet over a long period”, note the scientists. “We observed that the association between exposure to pet death and psychopathological symptoms in childhood occurred regardless of the socioeconomic status of the pup or the difficulties they had previously endured in their childhood. young life”.
Young boys were more affected by the death of their pet than little girls, and bereavement could affect the child up to three years after the death of Poupougne, Pirate or Frimousse.
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