Content area
Full text
Disponvel em www.scielo.br/prc
Estratgias de Coping de Mes de Portadores de Autismo: Lidando com Dificuldades e com a Emoo
Coping Strategies of Mothers of Autistic Children: Dealing with Behavioral Problems and Emotions
Carlo Schmidt*, Dbora Dalbosco DellAglio** & Cleonice Alves Bosa
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brasil
Resumo
Estudos tm apontado evidncias de estresse em famlias de portadores de autismo. Neste processo, deve-se considerar as estratgias de coping utilizadas pelos familiares frente s circunstncias adversas. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar as estratgias de coping maternas frente a dificuldades dos portadores de autismo, assim como as estratgias das mes para lidar com as prprias emoes desencadeadas pelo estresse. Participaram 30 mes, entre 30 a 56 anos, cujos filhos apresentam diagnstico de autismo e freqentam instituies de atendimento. Utilizou-se uma entrevista semi-estruturada, a qual foi transcrita e analisada com base na Anlise de Contedo. As principais dificuldades se referem ao comportamento do filho, frente s quais as mes utilizam predominantemente as estratgias de ao direta e de aceitao. Quanto s estratgias para lidar com as emoes, as categorias mais freqentes foram distrao, busca de apoio social/religioso, inao e evitao. Os resultados so discutidos considerando-se o estresse e a adaptao materna. Palavras-chave: Autismo; estresse materno; estratgias de coping.
Abstract
Many 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 childs 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...