Research article summary (published 30 May 2008):

Death sentences: a content analysis of children's death literature.

Full Abstract

A multidimensional concept of death must include biological, sociocultural, and emotional components. Children glean information about death in many ways, one of which is through books. In this study, the authors compared the 3 dimensions of death-related information (irreversibility, inevitability, nonfunctionality) in 24 young children's picture books and 16 older children's storybooks. In these death-themed children's books, the primary focus was on emotional aspects of death and grieving. Biological facts were more likely to appear in picture books than in storybooks. The authors offer speculation on the impact of children's books for use with bereaved children.

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Author information

Author/s: Poling, Devereaux A (DA); Hupp, Julie M (JM);

Affiliation: Ohio University--Zanesville, 1425 Newark Rd., Zanesville, OH 43701, USA. polingd1(-atsign-)ohio.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: The Journal of genetic psychology (J Genet Psychol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Jun; vol 169 (issue 2) : pp 165-76

Dates: Created 2008/06/26; Completed 2008/08/18;

PMID: 18578299, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adaptation, Psychological Attitude to Death Bereavement Books, Illustrated Child Child, Preschool Concept Formation Cultural Characteristics

Emotions Fantasy Female Grief Humans Literature, Modern Male Reading

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