title: Spirituality in children confronting death.
abstract: This article uses a developmental framework to consider common spiritual issues raised by children and adolescents who are confronting death. The literature exploring the role of children's spirituality in addressing death is used to illustrate specific areas of concern and topics deserving further research. Clinical examples are offered to illustrate the types of situations encountered by mental health professionals dealing with seriously ill children and their families. Recommendations are offered for concrete approaches for mental health professionals dealing with families confronting the death of a child.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California-Los Angeles Neuropsychiatric Institute and Hospital, 760 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1759, USA mstuber@mednet.ucla.edu
authors.forename: Margaret L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Stuber
authors.forename: Beth M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Houskamp
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D001293:Attitude to Death; D001601:Bereavement; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012072:Religious Philosophies; D012803:Sick Role; D029181:Spirituality