ABSTRACT
In most situations, adults can help the grieving child recognize that these physical
"hurts" are quite normal and temporary, thereby lessening some of the child's
concern. We also need to be aware that sometimes children unconsciously
assume these "sick roles" in an effort to receive care for the emotional hurt. This
happens most often in cases where the child isn't receiving adequate emotional
support. In addition, it is not unusual for a child to identify with the physical
symptoms that caused the death of the loved person. For example, if Dad died of
a heart attack, the child may complain of chest pains.
