ABSTRACT:
The arrival of a child with Down Syndrome (DS) requires a family readaptation, demanding efforts in relation to daily care or therapeutic and school routines. The aims of this study were to understand what the main sources of parental stress in caregivers of children with DS are and identify who the main caregivers of these children are. This is a literature review of a qualitative approach that used a theoretical framework of empirical researches published as of 2010, found in the Google Scholar, Scielo and Psychology.PT portals, and in the journals: Interação em Psicologia, CEPE UEG e Ata CIAIQ 2016. Initially, 23 researches were identified, through the use of the descriptors Down syndrome, stress and caregivers. After filtering, five works were selected for a final review. The result shows that parental stress is related to three factors - disability, development of the child and the role of the caregiver. The main stress outbreaks were the impact of the following diagnosis; fear of discrimination and prejudice; lack of autonomy of the child; emotional overload of the caregiver; concern about sexuality; low paternal schooling; mothers who cannot work; and older children. Mothers had the highest levels of stress. A balanced family division in relation to childcare with DS, as well as family psychological counseling, are alternatives to reducing stress levels and guarantee physical and mental health to caregivers. It is concluded that parental stress outbreaks are diverse and cause emotional distress, difficulties of acceptance and family adaptation.
KEYWORDS:
Special Education; Down Syndrome; Caregivers; Parental stress
Source: Elaborated by the authors.