Network and social support in children with chronic diseases: Understanding the child’s perception

Abstract

Objective: to identify the network and social support in the perception of children with chronic disease. Method: qualitative research conducted with eight children with chronic disease, between November 2012 and June 2013 in a public hospital in Paraiba, Brazil. An adaptation of the drawing-story process with theme was used. The data were interpreted by thematic analysis. Results: in some moments of life, the child receives different types of support that are offered by strengthened links that make up their social network. But this network has not always proven to be strengthened and able to provide the necessary support to adequately cope with the disease. Conclusion: health professionals need to direct their focus on the child, listening to them and their singularities and helping to identify links in their social network which can provide them with the support they need to cope with chronic illness.