Children's perception of death between truth and denial

Abstract

The study aimed to clarify the children's perception of death between truth and denial. The researchers followed the analytical descriptive approach and the qualitative approach, where a random sample of (133) children between the ages of (4-12) years was chosen. ), (the individual structured counseling interview) - prepared by the two researchers, and the study reached several results, as follows: Children at the age of (4-6) years deny the existence of death, while the child acknowledges the fact of death at the age of (7-12) years, and the child's perception of death develops according to gradual concepts: (universal - feelings - final - causation - cessation of functions). There are significant differences due to the variable of gender and age in the axis (causation, cessation of body parts, and finality), while there are significant differences in the axes (globalism, feelings, and level of vulnerability) in favor of children of higher ages, and children (4-6) years of age see death The causes of death are (lack of knowledge, bad morals - wars - disease - accidents), while the perception of children at the age of (7-12) years, where the causes of death are determined and related to (pathological causes - fate - wars - accidents and disasters).