BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Although pets are important for children to build empathy and their own self esteem. However, children may experience a more difficult time after a family pet passes away than previously realized.
A new study from Massachusetts General Hospital delves into this new issue. Dealing with the loss of a pet may be tough on kids emotionally, especially because it's usually their first experience with death.
According to this new study, researchers believe they may have a better understanding of how the loss of a pet could give deeper insight into the state of a child's mental health.
Dr. Erin Dunn said the symptoms of a mental heath disorder could either lead to a diagnosis or could be a temporary reaction.
"We found that these associations existed even after we accounted for other kinds of adversities the children may have experienced when they were growing up," Dr. Dunn said.
Dr. Dunn said that because the death of a pet may be a child's first time experiencing death, so parents should take the event seriously.
WBZ NewsRadio's James Rojas (@JamesRojasWBZ) reports
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