BENEFITS OF BEING PART OF A SUPPORT GROUP FOR CAREGIVERS OF CHILDREN WITH MULTIPLE DISABILITIES: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Abstract

Objective. To explore the perceived benefits of participating in a support group of caregivers of children with multiple disabilities. Materials and methods. This was a qualitative stud with a focused ethnographic approach, conducted from October 2022 to February 2023, in which we applied convenience sampling. We included 20 caregivers of children with multiple disabilities. Information was collected through participant observation, focus groups and semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was performed applying Braun and Clark’s proposals. Results. The emerging themes were: social support network: integrating, informing and helping each other; learning space: learning to take care and to take care of oneself; promoting empowerment: identifying and facing access barriers. Conclusions. We found that the support group functions as a social support network, provides information, reduces uncertainty, facilitates coping and resilience after the birth and upbringing of a child with multipledisabilities. It is a space where one learns to care for and take care of oneself and whereempowerment for the defense of the rights of children with disabilities is promoted.