Pet loss and continuing bonds in children and adolescents

Area of Science:

• Child Psychology
• Grief Studies
• Human-Animal Interaction

Background:

• Limited research exists on the impact of pet loss on children's psychological well-being.
• Understanding children's coping mechanisms following the death of a pet is crucial for providing adequate support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how children utilize continuing bonds (CB) as a coping strategy after the death of a pet.
• To identify factors influencing the expression of continuing bonds in grieving children.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative questionnaires with qualitative interviews.
• The study included 32 children (aged 5-18 years) and their parents.
• Data collection involved child self-report questionnaires and the Continuing Bonds Interview, alongside parent demographic information.

Main Results:

• All participating children demonstrated the use of continuing bonds (CB) in their grieving process.
• The expression of CB varied significantly based on the child's age.
• Grief intensity and the strength of the child's attachment to the pet also influenced CB expression.

Conclusions:

• Continuing bonds (CB) are a universal coping mechanism for children experiencing pet loss.
• Interventions supporting grieving children should consider individual differences in age, grief, and attachment when addressing CB.
• Further research is needed to fully understand the nuances of CB in pediatric pet bereavement.