Social representations of mothers and parents on children with cerebral palsy

Abstract

Objectives: the diagnosis and prognosis of cerebral palsy arouses intense feelings in the family, due to the fact that they have to deal with a special child, which makes this confrontation a delicate and difficult period. The present work aimed to understand the representations of mothers and fathers about the child with cerebral palsy. Materials and Methods: it is a qualitative research based on the procedural approach of the theory of social representations. Were used: the technique of drawing-story with theme; the focus group; and the semistructured interview, with 19 participants. Results: the data were processed using the technique of thematic content analysis and analysis of the graphics of the drawings, with subsequent triangulation of the data. The image categories of the special child emerged; learning and practices of mothers and fathers; identity function of the recognition of the group of belonging. Conclusion: mothers and fathers of the researched social group materialize their representations about children with cerebral palsy in the care they provide, in the different modes of communication between the family and the child, which becomes a facilitator so that mothers and fathers can both learn and attend your child's needs. It was possible to perceive the manifestations of care, of learning in the support networks that are formed, of belonging to the studied social group.