Abstract

COLOME, Carolina Schmitt; DANTAS, Cândida Prates  and  ZAPPE, Jana Gonçalves. Relational Dynamics of Meaningful Social Networks of Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Estud. pesqui. psicol. [online]. 2023, vol.23, n.2, pp.607-628.  Epub May 03, 2024. ISSN 1808-4281.  https://doi.org/10.12957/epp.2023.77701.

The diagnosis of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder is configured as a stressful event for the family, especially for mothers, and may have relational, social and emotional implications for them. This study aimed to understand the repercussions of ASD diagnosis on the relational dynamics of significant maternal social networks. This is a qualitative, descriptive and exploratory study, in which 12 mothers of children with ASD participated. Data were collected through reflective interviews and the significant social networks map, analyzed using Grounded Theory. A decrease in the number of members in the participants' significant social networks was identified after their child's diagnosis. In family relationships, there was an increase in members, although the mothers did not feel sufficiently supported; there was a decrease in the number of members in extra-family relationships, but the presence of satisfactory support was observed in some members located in this context. It is concluded that, for the network to be effective in offering social support, it is necessary to combine maternal availability to receive support and preparation of social networks members to handle the specificities of the ASD. Thus, greater investment is suggested in the instrumentalization of significant social networks to nurse the process experienced by mothers of children with ASD.

Keywords : autism; global developmental disorders; social networks; mothers..

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