Abstract

ROOKE, Mayse Itagiba; PEREIRA-SILVA, Nara Liana; CROLMAN, Sarah de Rezende  and  ALMEIDA, Bruna Rocha. Family functioning and social support network: families with children with down syndrome. Gerais, Rev. Interinst. Psicol. [online]. 2019, vol.12, n.1, pp.142-158. ISSN 1983-8220.  https://doi.org/10.36298/gerais2019120111.

This study aims to describe the functioning of the family and to identify the social support networks perceived by the parents of children with Down syndrome (DS). Thirty-six families were participants, whose person responsible for the home answered the Family System Characterization Questionnaire during a home visit. The results showed that the mother is mainly responsible for the domestic tasks and care of the child with DS. Families usually engage in different leisure activities: visiting relatives and public places, as well as presenting assiduity in religious activities, attending weekly worship services. The main sources of family social support for the parents are the children with the standard development and the partner, and maternal aunts and grandmothers. The non-family social network consists mainly of friends, the school, doctors, speech therapists and teachers. The results indicate the need to initiate intervention programs directed at families. Thus, researchers and professionals are expected to undertake interventions with these families, providing greater social support.

Keywords : Family; Down's Syndrome; Social support.

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