Paternidade: a experiência de pais de meninos com Distrofia Muscular de Duchenne

Abstract

Lucca, S.A. de. Fatherhood: the experience of fathers of boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. 2013. 126 f. Master’s thesis – Faculdade de Filosofia Ciencias e Letras de Ribeirao Preto, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, 2013. In our culture to marry and have children are steps in the process of human development that have broad social and psychological meaning and to become a father/mother is a stage in the life cycle that brings significant changes for both the family and its members. As well as motherhood having its meanings for the woman fatherhood also has them and this is influenced by the concepts, beliefs and values of the men concerning the paternal role. The literature indicates that the presence of a chronic illness/disability of the child affects how these men exercise fatherhood. This study aimed to understand the experience of fatherhood in fathers of boys diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and the consequences of the presence of the disease in the social and family interactions. Participants were eight fathers whose children, aged ten years and over, had been diagnosed with DMD, living in Ribeirao Preto and surrounding cities. Interviews were conducted using a semi-structured script and analyzed using thematic content analysis. The results show that the news of the confirmation of the DMD diagnosis triggered a reaction of shock, coexisting with feelings of sadness, helplessness and hopelessness. Denial was the psychic defense most used by them and the majority of the fathers considered the illness of the child a mission sent from God, thereby decreasing the pain and anguish caused by the illness. The fathers used a variety of resources to cope with the illnesses of their sons, from seeking information regarding treatment/cure for the disease to religion, which appeared as a positive factor that helped them cope with the most difficult situations. They presented physical and mental overload, as well as constant concern and sadness because of the great dependence on care of the sick son. The exercise of fatherhood was shown to be more participatory and the relationship with the child was evaluated as one of companionship. From the perception of the disease symptoms, the fathers experienced many losses that exposed them to great suffering, many stressful events and triggered the process of anticipatory mourning that was upgraded with every functional loss that occured as a result of the disease. They perceived fatherhood of a child with disabilities to be a factor that made them feel like “special parents” and also promoted maturation and personal growth. The fathers attributed the meaning of a mission to be fulfilled to the fatherhood and this meaning was permeated by a system of religious beliefs and values. The meaning given to “special fatherhood” positively influenced the adaptation to the disease, as it favored psychic elaboration, keeping them motivated in the face of adversity. To know and comprehend how fathers experience fatherhood in the presence of a chronic disease/disability is fundamental to be able to establish psychological counseling and care programs, not only for parents but for the entire family, aiming to promote support and coping strategies for better adaptation to the illness and to fatherhood.