Estratégias de coping de mães de portadores de autismo: lidando com dificuldades e com a emoção

Abstract

ResumoEstudos têm apontado evidências de estresse em famílias de portadores de autismo. Neste processo, deve-se considerar as estratégias de coping utilizadas pelos familiares frente às circunstâncias adversas. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar as estratégias de coping maternas frente a dificuldades dos portadores de autismo, assim como as estratégias das mães para lidar com as próprias emoções desencadeadas pelo estresse. Participaram 30 mães, entre 30 a 56 anos, cujos filhos apresentam diagnóstico de autismo e freqüentam instituições de atendimento. Utilizou-se uma entrevista semi-estruturada, a qual foi transcrita e analisada com base na Análise de Conteúdo. As principais dificuldades se referem ao comportamento do filho, frente às quais as mães utilizam predominantemente as estratégias de ação direta e de aceitação. Quanto às estratégias para lidar com as emoções, as categorias mais freqüentes foram distração, busca de apoio social/religioso, inação e evitação. Os resultados são discutidos considerando-se o estresse e a adaptação materna. Palavras-chave: Autismo; estresse materno; estratégias de coping. AbstractMany studies have shown evidence of high levels of stress in families with autistic children. Concerning this process, it is important to consider the coping strategies used by family members in face of the adverse circumstances. The purpose of this study is to investigate the coping strategies of mothers when dealing with their autistic children, as well as how they deal with their own emotions unleashed by the stress. Thirty mothers, between 30 and 56 years old participated in the study. Their children have met the criteria for autism and attended special education schools. The coping strategies were investigated using a semi-structured interview, which was transcribed and analyzed by content analysis. The main difficulties refer to the child's behavior. In relation to these difficulties, the strategy used by the mothers was predominantly direct action and acceptance. Concerning the strategies to deal with their own emotions, the most frequent categories were distraction, reaching out for social/religious support, lack of action and avoidance. Results are discussed in terms of stress and maternal adaptation model.

Qualidade de vida em irmãos de crianças incluídas no espectro do autismo

“…The present study had as initial hypothesis a decrease in self-reported QoL of siblings and caregivers of children included in the autism spectrum (8)(9)(10)(11)(12) . Demographic data were collected in order to obtain an overview of the families and select the participants of this study.…”

“…A study with 40 autistic children reported that these children, in their perception of the world, are happy, regardless of their functional deficits, as they reported QoL indexes that were similar to those of normal children (7) . However, it is noticed in the literature that those who frequently suffer the consequences of the autism framework are their family members (5,(8)(9)(10)(11)(12) . Parents or caregivers of children included in the autism spectrum may face tensions and therefore could benefit from a family-centered treatment proposals (10) .…”

Família e Autismo: Uma Revisão da Literatura

“…Diante das dificuldades que se referem ao comportamento do filho, eles utilizam predominantemente as estratégias de ação direta e de aceitação. Para lidar com as emoções, recorrem preferencialmente à distração, busca de apoio social/religioso, inação e evitação (Schmidt et al, 2007).…”

Literatura científica brasileira sobre transtornos do espectro autista

“…Of the 93 articles identified, 21 were classified into this categorya 13,33,[37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55] . NOf the 140 relevant abstracts found in the CAPES database, 46 fell into this category.…”