Abstract

PISKE, Fernanda; AZEVEDO, Larissa Antonella; MARCON, Claudete  and  OLIVEIRA, Lecila Duarte Barbosa. Support group for caregivers of children admitted to a pediatric unit. Psicol. teor. prat. [online]. 2013, vol.15, n.1, pp. 35-49. ISSN 1516-3687.

This article reports the work of a psychological intervention group. This group is focused in dealing with families during child hospitalization time in order to provide a reflection on their behavior. Also, a better understanding how to cope with anguish and fear during child illness. The therapeutic factors related to support groups were identified. This qualitative study was exploratory nature. All the therapeutic factors were identified and analyzed from the subjects' report. These groups were composed by caregivers of admitted children and psychology interns. The meetings occurred during seven months, lasting about 70 minutes. In total, 78 people were engaged within the groups developed and coordinated by psychology interns. It was verified that the groups provided a better coping, empowering the caregiver to support and be effective as children companion. The groups also showed to be effective in solving problems related to hospitalization. Furthermore, this procedure may represent a possibility for psychologists to work at the hospital, representing an important therapeutic resource aiming at the reduction of suffering from families and the hospitalized children.

Keywords : group processes; support groups; hospitalized child; patient companions; hospital psychology.

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