PRISUSTVO DVOSMISLENOG GUBITKA (AMBIGUOUS LOSS) KOD DJECE TOKOM RATNIH DEŠAVANJA: NARATIVNI PREGLED LITERATURE
THE PRESENCE OF AMBIGUOUS LOSS IN CHILDREN DURING ARMED CONFLICT: A NARRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW

Summary/Abstract: Armed conflicts represent one of the most severe challenges to children's mental health, especially when they are exposed to complex and unresolved forms of loss known as ambiguous loss (Boss, 2000). This type of loss is characterized by the absence of clear confirmation of death or disappearance of parents or close caregivers, which prevents the initiation of a normal grieving process and emotional acceptance of the loss (Boss & Yeats, 2020). The consequences of ambiguous loss in children are multifaceted, encompassing profound psychological, neurobiological, and developmental alterations that can persist for years and influence the child’s entire life trajectory (Gunnar & Quevedo, 2007; Boss & Yeats, 2014). Due to prolonged uncertainty and emotional pain, children are at increased risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and attachment disorders, all of which further impair their social integration and daily functioning (Hobfoll et al., 2007; Kravić, Pajević, & Hasanović, 2013). Moreover, the chronic toxic stress accompanying ambiguous loss may lead to dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the neuroendocrine system, directly impacting the immune system and overall physical health (Gunnar & Quevedo, 2007; Da Silveira et al., 2020). This paper provides an in-depth analysis of the medical and psychological dimensions of ambiguous loss, with a particular focus on the current conditions faced by children affected by war in Ukraine, Gaza, and other global conflict zones. It emphasizes the urgent need for multidisciplinary approaches and effective interventions aimed at protecting and rehabilitating this highly vulnerable population (Betancourt, Meyers-Ohki, Charrow, & Tol, 2013; Halilović, 2018). Additionally, the paper explores the application of contemporary therapeutic methods and support models that integrate psychological, medical, and social assistance, with the aim of mitigating the long-term effects of ambiguous loss on children's health and development.

• Details
• Contents