O olhar da Terapia Ocupacional sobre a solidariedade e ambivalência intergeracional entre mães e avós de crianças com deficiência

Abstract

Intergenerational solidarity in the family relationship consists of interdependence between the subjects participating in this family, being composed of functional, affective and conflictual dimensions. Intergenerational ambivalence, that is, feelings, cognition and contradictory behaviors are present in the “adult mother-daughter” relationship and can interfere in the intergenerational solidarity of this dyad. This study aimed to analyze and describe some dimensions of intergenerational solidarity and the existence of intergenerational ambivalence in the dyad of mother-grandparents of children with some disability. Descriptive study of the exploratory type with a quantitative approach. The instruments for data collection were the Pediatric Disability Assessment Inventory (PEDI-CAT), the Intergenerational Solidarity Scale and the Intergenerational Ambivalence Scale. The sample consisted of 25 mothers and 25 grandparents of children with disabilities in the age group of 2 to 10 years old of both sexes. The mothers reported receiving functional support from their mothers (the grandmothers of the child with disabilities) most of the time. The frequency of support offered by mothers to their mothers (the grandparents of the disabled child) was divided into Never and Always. Contradictorily, according to the grandmothers, functional support is sometimes provided for their daughters, but always received by their daughters. Both the majority of mothers and grandmothers reported the perception of a frequency of conflict occurring in a moderate way in the mother-grandmother relationship of children with disabilities. The frequency of affection perceived by mothers in relation to their own mother (grandmother of the disabled child) was considered reasonable by most mothers. The frequency of affection perceived by grandmothers in relation to their own daughter (mother of the disabled child) was considered excellent by most grandmothers. The data in this research, even if limited, can support new investigative issues as well as for the practices of professionals who assist these families with children with disabilities.