Abstract

VIANA, V.; BARBOSA, M.C.  and  GUIMARAES, J.. Chronic disease in children familiar factors and quality of life . Psic., Saúde & Doenças [online]. 2007, vol.8, n.1, pp.117-127. ISSN 1645-0086.

In this paper the "psychosomatic family model" is described. The model, that was in the first place proposed to explain the occurrence and course of a psychosomatic disease in children, was then generalized to situations in which a chronic disease develops in children. In the model symptoms may function as a mechanism of regulation of the family system in cases that the family as a dysfunctional organization with a negative influence in patient and family quality of life. Objectives of structural family intervention in this context are described. The author presents three cases where some of the factors described previously are exemplified.

Keywords : Chronic disease; Family interaction; Psychosomatic family.

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