CHILDREN'S PERCEPTION OF DEATH: HOW COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL THERAPY ASSISTS IN THE UNDERSTANDING OF DEATH IN CHILDREN AGED 6 TO 12 YEARS

Abstract

This article presents a narrative review on the application of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in the understanding and elaboration of death in children aged 6 to 12 years. The objective was to analyze how CBT can assist children in coping with grief, considering their cognitive and emotional development. The review was conducted in open-access databases such as SciELO, ResearchGate, and NIH, using keywords related to CBT, children, and childhood grief, resulting in the selection of 37 relevant works. The findings indicate that CBT contributes to the identification and restructuring of dysfunctional thoughts, the expression and regulation of emotions, and the development of an adaptive understanding of death. Strategies such as cognitive restructuring, psychoeducation, emotional regulation, and the use of play-based resources proved to be central to the success of interventions, as did the therapeutic bond and family involvement. Although challenges remain, such as the need to adapt techniques to children’s cognitive levels and the scarcity of studies, the results show that CBT can be enhanced through the integration of school, family, and digital resources, strengthening the emotional and cognitive development of bereaved children.