Amita B's Senior Project Blog

Project Title: Processing Loss: A Study on the Differences in Grieving Between Children and Adults BASIS Advisor: John Goodwin Internship Location: Billy's Place Onsite Mentor: Melody Logan, Director of Programs

Project Abstract

Grief is a universal experience, yet children and adults express and process it differently due to many cognitive, emotional, and developmental factors. My senior project, Processing Loss: A Study on the Differences in Grieving Between Children and Adults, looks at key behavioral and emotional differences in how children and adults grieve, focusing on the unique ways children navigate loss. This research stems from my own experience of losing my father last year. Witnessing how grief impacted my mom, sister, and myself differently—and meeting others through grief groups—opened my eyes to its complexities and nuances. Unlike adults, who often express their emotions through introspection and structured support systems like therapy, children may process grief through play, behavioral changes, or physical symptoms, which can be misunderstood or overlooked by caregivers and counselors. To explore these differences, I will conduct semi-structured interviews with parents or guardians of grieving children, gathering insights into the children’s emotional expressions and behaviors. Observing grief groups for children and adolescents will complement this data, offering a another perspective on how they externalize their emotions through activities and peer interactions. These methods will help bridge the gap in understanding how children’s perceptions of death—shaped by their age, cultural background, and personal experiences—influence their grieving process. My research aims to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of grief by identifying how counselors' observations, parents’ perspectives, and children’s behaviors align or diverge. By highlighting these differences, I hope to guide the creation of tailored grief support interventions that meet children’s specific needs, promoting healthier coping strategies and minimizing the long-term effects of bereavement.