Peer Support Experienced by Mothers of Children With Congenital Heart Defects in Sweden

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe experiences of peer support among mothers of children with congenital heart defects. Ten mothers were interviewed through a semi-structured approach and interviews were analyzed with systematic text condensation. The respondents established various channels used for peer support and navigated between the channels depending on what type of information or support they needed. Through the channels, they found peers they developed strong friendships with and who they relied on for emotional support. Communicating with peers involved the reciprocal exchange of unique emotional support between peers who understand each other as well as the exchange of information derived from their collective knowledge, and thus, difficult to find without the help of peers. The findings illustrate the potential strengths of establishing reliable collaboration and liaisons between clinical units and peer support networks.

Assistência às famílias de crianças com Transtornos do Espectro Autista: percepções da equipe multiprofissional

“…de pares e a esperança são estratégias que ajudam a amenizar o sofrimento dessas famílias (3)(4)(5) . Essas estratégias têm o potencial de ajudá-las no enfrentamento das necessidades da criança com TEA pois favorecem o apoio emocional e a troca de informações, promovem o bem-estar familiar, contribuem para o fortalecimento do funcionamento familiar, aliviam a ansiedade e o estresse coletivo.…”

“…Essas estratégias têm o potencial de ajudá-las no enfrentamento das necessidades da criança com TEA pois favorecem o apoio emocional e a troca de informações, promovem o bem-estar familiar, contribuem para o fortalecimento do funcionamento familiar, aliviam a ansiedade e o estresse coletivo. Também, proporcionam uma perspectiva otimista de futuro no enfrentamento da condição e na adaptação em períodos de crise (3)(4)(5)(6) .…”

Asistencia a familias de niños con Trastornos del Espectro Autista: percepciones del equipo multidisciplinario

“…Dichas familias están sujetas al estrés parental que provocan los problemas económicos, la ansiedad relacionada con el futuro de su hijo, la falta de apoyo social, las diferentes implicancias que la condición de salud le impone al grupo y el aumento de la carga del cuidado, especialmente para las madres (2) . La evidencia muestra que el apoyo social, el apoyo de los pares y la esperanza son estrategias que ayudan a aliviar el sufrimiento de estas familias (3)(4)(5) .…”

Assistance to families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Perceptions of the multiprofessional team

“…Diverse evidence shows that social support, peer support and hope are strategies that help alleviate these families’ distress 3 - 5 . These strategies have the potential to help them cope with the needs of children with ASD because they favor emotional support and information exchange, promote family well-being, contribute to strengthening family functioning, and relieve anxiety and collective stress.…”

“…These strategies have the potential to help them cope with the needs of children with ASD because they favor emotional support and information exchange, promote family well-being, contribute to strengthening family functioning, and relieve anxiety and collective stress. They also provide an optimistic perspective of the future in coping with the condition and in adapting in periods of crisis 3 - 6 .…”