Caring for a stuffed puppy can relieve stress in young children who have suffered a traumatic situation, this is indicated by a group of experts belonging to the University of Tel Aviv (Israel).
To reach this conclusion, the group of researchers conducted a study in which they were provided, to 74 boys and girls between the ages of 2 and 7, a stuffed dog. The little ones were explained that the stuffed animal was sad because he had no friends and his family was far away, the stuffed dog needed a friend to take care of him. Almost all of the children subjected to the study suffered stress as a result of the problems they suffer in the area of northern Israel, the conflict between Palestinians and Jews causes in them a large number of negative reactions for their health and well-being.
These children were afraid, suffered nightmares, reacted to any noise, showed their state with continuous crying, etc. Inevitably, the conflict seriously affects the little ones and solutions like this one that we know are being sought, although the best would be unquestionably the end of the confrontation.
The results of the study reveal that after two months, up to 71% of the children had reduced the reactions they showed before receiving the stuffed animal. The idea of the researchers was to divert the attention of the children from the problems that occur in the place, and the stuffed animal would allow to change the center of attention of the little ones.
All the data of the study have been published in the prestigious electronic journal Pediatrics.
