ALMEIDA, Telma    SAMPAIO, F.M.. Stress and social support in caregivers of individuals with cerebral palsy . []. , 8, 1, pp.145-151. ISSN 1645-0086.

This work analyses families of individuals affected with cerebral palsy and their perceptions of stress and social support. Twenty-five relatives (mothers, parents, and other, 16 females, 8 males), aged 19 through 81, participated in this study. The individuals with cerebral palsy (16 female, 8 male), have ages between 16 and 49 years, live at home with one or more caregivers (mostly parents) and attend a specialized day center in the city of Oporto, Portugal. Caregivers answered a Social Support Satisfaction Scale (Escala de Satisfação com o Suporte Social, Pais-Ribeiro, 1999) and a portuguese version (Silva, Pais-Ribeiro, Cardoso, & Ramos, 2003) of the Life Experiences Survey (Sarason, Johnson, & Siegel, 1978). Results show an inverse moderate correlation (r=-0,58 p=0.002) between perceived social support and stress, as well as significant differences (p=0,04) in level of social support according to caregivers’ age, patients’ age (p=0,01), and patients’ level of autonomy (p=0,04). These results reinforce the importance of social support in reducing the stress of families of handicapped individuals.

: Cerebral palsy; ESSS; Familiar; LES; Social support; Stress.

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