Emoções e empoderamento de mães de crianças com Síndrome de Down

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze the emotions and the factors that lead to the mothers of children with Down syndrome experiencing an empowerment process. This study happened through a qualitative research, with field research, inside the Núcleo de Educação Emocional (Neemoc) of Universidade Federal da Paraíba. The subjects of the survey were three mothers of children with Down Syndrome who participate in one Non-Governmental Organization of Paraíba. The instruments used for data collection were a semi-structured interview script and a questionnaire. The results point to the emotion of sadness as predominant in mothers at the initial moment of the diagnosis of the deficiency of their children, but this, together with mourning, was part of a natural process that, when properly experienced, opened space for new possibilities of achievement and overcoming their children beyond expectations. The importance of family support and of a group of mothers also stood out as a source of emotional support, updated information about the disability, and prove to be a contribution to the empowerment of these mothers, who engaged other mothers and families to become engage and take an active role in the development of their children and in the social and school inclusion of their children.