Resumo

BRANDAO, Maria Teresa  e  CRAVEIRINHA, Fátima Pereira. Redes de apoio social em famílias multiculturais, acompanhadas no âmbito da intervenção precoce: Um estudo exploratório. Aná. Psicológica [online]. 2011, vol.29, n.1, pp.27-45. ISSN 0870-8231.

Research in early intervention has shown that social support network is crucial in supporting families of young children at risk or with disabilities, having positive effects on the functioning of individuals, families and in child behavior and development. Families of ethnic minorities, including immigrants may experience adverse conditions due to moving away from their informal network socio-cultural difficulties resulting from the immigration process. In Portugal, we have witnessed a large influx of immigrants which makes our reality a multicultural one and explains why many of the children and families followed in IP programs have different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Considering the lack of research about this subject we conducted an exploratory research study with 42 mothers (28 Portuguese and 14 PALOP - African countries with Portuguese language) living in Loures and enrolled in Early Intervention Programs. Results show that these mothers generally perceive the formal networks of support as more available and useful. In addiction the informal support networks are significantly less useful for PALOPs mother’s in comparison to Portuguese mothers. Early intervention may therefore play a crucial role in supporting this type of families by helping them restructuring and developing their social support network in the new socio-cultural context.

Palavras-chave : Cultural diversity; Families of children with special needs; Informal and formal support networks; PALOPs; Social support.

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