Social Work Examination Services (SWES) Human Behavior Practice Test

How do children typically react to the deaths of parents or siblings compared to adults?

1. They are more likely to accept it without question

2. They are less affected emotionally

3. They attribute death to something they caused

4. They show greater resilience

The correct answer is: They attribute death to something they caused

When children experience the death of a parent or sibling, they often struggle with comprehension of the finality and the broader implications of death. It is common for children to engage in magical thinking, believing that their thoughts or actions may have caused the death. This stems from their developmental stage, where they may not fully grasp the concept of death as an irreversible and natural part of life. This tendency to attribute blame to themselves is rooted in their egocentric way of thinking, where they perceive themselves as the center of their own universe. They may think that their statements or behaviors, such as having conflicts with the deceased, could have influenced the outcome. As a result, this can lead to feelings of guilt and shame. Understanding this aspect of a child's reaction to death highlights their unique emotional processing and the need for appropriate support during such a challenging time. Unlike adults, who may process grief through a more cognitive understanding of the inevitability of death, children often need guidance to make sense of their feelings and experiences.