RESUMO: o objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar a experiência de irmãos de pessoas surdas acerca de sua história de vida e das implicações da deficiência nos relacionamentos fraternos. Tratou-se de um estudo exploratório, de abordagem qualitativa, que contou com a participação de cinco irmãos de pessoas surdas com idade entre 31 a 44 anos. Para a coleta de dados foram utilizados os seguintes instrumentos: questionário de identificação e roteiro de entrevista em profundidade. Os dados obtidos foram analisados a partir do modelo de produções de sentido das práticas discursivas. Os principais resultados apontaram que a dificuldade de comunicação entre os participantes e seus irmãos surdos repercutiu em questões nos relacionamentos desde a infância até a fase adulta. Considera-se que as questões inerentes à deficiência trouxeram consequências a todos os membros da família, em especial nos quesitos relacionamentos e comunicação e que disponibilizar atenção especializada aos pais e irmãos destas pessoas auxiliaria no manejo das situações vinculadas à deficiência e fortalecimento dos vínculos familiares.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to analyze the experience of deaf persons' siblings about their life stories and the implications of the disability in fraternal relationships. This was an exploratory study of qualitative approach, which included the participation of five siblings of deaf persons aged 31-44 years. The following instruments for data collection were used: identification questionnaire and in-depth interview guide. Data were analyzed from Social Representation Analysis. The main results showed that the difficulty in communicating with their deaf siblings reflected in difficulties in relationships that persisted from childhood to adulthood. It is considered that the issues relating to the disability brought repercussions to all family members, especially in the communication and relationship categories and that providing specialized care to the parents and siblings of deaf persons would help in coping with situations related to the disability and in strengthening family ties.

As distintas formas de comportamento entre as gerações influenciam a qualidade das relações familiares, as quais permitem que o indivíduo se construa, desenvolva-se e se realize como um ser social. Neste artigo, objetivou-se identificar a experiência de avós e de mães de famílias de crianças com deficiência intelectual, acerca do cotidiano, das práticas de apoio e da intergeracionalidade. O estudo exploratório de abordagem qualitativa contou com a participação de seis mães e seis avós de crianças/adolescentes com deficiência intelectual. Para a coleta de dados, foram utilizados roteiros de entrevistas semiestruturadas. Os principais resultados apontaram que as práticas de apoio exercidas no contexto familiar integram o cotidiano das avós e representam importante fonte de apoio às mães e aos netos. Além disso, o estudo apontou a importância dos relacionamentos intergeracionais, tendo em vista os benefícios por eles produzidos para ambas as gerações envolvidas. Considerando-se a heterogeneidade das famílias brasileiras, aponta-se ainda para a necessidade de estudos intergeracionais que focalizem a opinião de diferentes gerações em localidades e contextos distintos.

The different forms of behavior among generations influence the quality of family relationships, which allow the individual to build, to develop and to achieve himself as a social being. This study aimed to identify the experience of the grandmothers and the mothers of families of children with intellectual disabilities, regarding their everyday life, the support and the intergenerationality practices. The exploratory study of qualitative approach had the participation of six mothers and grandmothers of six children / adolescents with intellectual disabilities. Semi-structured interviews scripts were used to collect the data. The main results showed that support practices exercised within the family are part of the grandparents' daily lives and represent an important source of support for mothers and their grandchildren. In addition, the study pointed out the importance of the intergenerational relationships in view of the benefits produced by the same for both the generations involved. Considering the heterogeneity of Brazilian families, yet it is pointed out to the need for further intergenerational studies that focus on the opinion of different generations in different locations and contexts.

The different forms of behavior among generations influence the quality of family relationships, which allow the individual to build, to develop and to achieve himself as a social being. This study aimed to identify the experience of the grandmothers and the mothers of families of children with intellectual disabilities, regarding their everyday life, the support and the intergenerationality practices. The exploratory study of qualitative approach had the participation of six mothers and grandmothers of six children / adolescents with intellectual disabilities. Semi-structured interviews scripts were used to collect the data. The main results showed that support practices exercised within the family are part of the grandparents' daily lives and represent an important source of support for mothers and their grandchildren. In addition, the study pointed out the importance of the intergenerational relationships in view of the benefits produced by the same for both the generations involved. Considering the heterogeneity of Brazilian families, yet it is pointed out to the need for further intergenerational studies that focus on the opinion of different generations in different locations and contexts.

O estudo exploratório, de abordagem qualitativa, objetivou investigar o relacionamento intergeracional e as práticas de apoio presentes no cotidiano de famílias de crianças com necessidades especiais. Participaram do estudo cinco mães, avós e irmãos mais velhos de crianças com deficiência, que responderam a roteiros de entrevistas semiestruturadas. As entrevistas foram analisadas qualitativamente por meio da técnica do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo. Verificou-se que as avós apresentam-se como importante fonte de apoio à família ao dedicarem, inclusive, atenção e cuidado ao irmão da criança com necessidades especiais. O estudo revela um relacionamento intergeracional positivo entre avós e netos. Destaca-se a necessidade de direcionar maior atenção especializada a esses membros da família e para a continuidade de investigação sobre o tema.

This exploratory study based on a qualitative approach aimed to investigate intergenerational relationships and support practices in the daily lives of families of children with special needs. Study participants were five mothers, grandmothers and older siblings of children with disabilities, who answered a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews were analyzed qualitatively using the Collective Subject Discourse technique. It was found that grandmothers have been an important source of support for the family, because they are also concerned about devoting attention and care to the siblings of the child with disabilities. The study reveals a positive intergenerational relationship between grandmothers and grandchildren. The study highlights the need for directing more specialized attention to these family members and points out the need for further research on the subject.