Grief in Children within the Framework of Attachment Theory

Abstract

Loss and the grieving process are a natural part of life for everyone, but they can become pathological without supportive conditions. Loss is painful and causes the person to experience deep grief. Individuals who cannot complete the mourning process healthily are forced to live with a loss they cannot resolve. The loss and mourning process, especially in childhood, significantly affects the person's life from childhood to adulthood. Different theories explain the grief process in the literature on the subject. Among these theories, the attachment theory developed by John Bowlby provides information about the grief process experienced, especially in childhood. In this study, the grief process in children is evaluated within the framework of the attachment theory developed by John Bowlby. The main issues addressed in the study are the significance of losses experienced during childhood, the stages of the grieving process, and the approach to the grieving child.