Background:

Different management styles can modify families’ functioning, favoring or compromising the care delivered to chronic childhood conditions.

Objective:

To analyze primary caregivers’ perspectives on family management of chronic childhood conditions.

Methodology:

This qualitative study is based on the Family Management Style Framework (FMSF). Thirty-eight (38) interviews were conducted with 38 caregivers of chronically ill children attending a health institution in southeastern Brazil. The data were submitted to deductive thematic analysis.

Results:

Having a child with chronic illness was described as challenging and causing suffering, requiring families to reorganize their family routines to meet the chronically ill child’s needs. The “perceived consequences” revealed families’ perspectives and fears about the future and their recognition of the results of the “management behaviors” adopted. The family management styles identified were: “thriving,” “accommodating,” “struggling,” “floundering,” and “enduring.”

Conclusion:

The primary caregiver’s ability to manage the chronically ill child’s needs depends on their access to professional, care, and intra-family resources.

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