Sobrecarga e qualidade de vida de mães de crianças e/ou adolescentes com transtorno do espectro autista.

Abstract

Understand the elements that contribute to the burden and quality of life of mothers of children and/or adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Method: exploratory-descriptive, qualitative study carried out with 10 mothers from a non- governmental institution in a municipality in Agreste Paraibano, from January to March 2022.

A semi-structured script was used containing sociodemographic and triggering questions about the participants' experience. For data processing, the software Interface de R pour les Analyses Multidimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionnaires (IRAMUTEQ) was used. Text analysis was performed using the Descending Hierarchical Classification proposed by Reinert, and content analysis by Bardin. Results: the experience of an intense care routine generates physical and emotional overload on mothers. Coping strategies contribute to improving the quality of life of these women. Conclusion: it was possible to understand that the elements that contribute to overload are triggered from the diagnostic process, interfering with the quality of life. The need for health professionals to promote the creation of support groups to involve the mother and family in the child or adolescent care process is highlighted.