Changes in family dynamics before the diagnosis of cerebral palsy child: state of the art

Abstract

The birth of a child with cerebral palsy causes changes in family dynamics. Thus, the objective of this study is to know what has been discussed in scientific circles about the changes in family dynamics before the diagnosis of children with cerebral palsy. It was a review of the literature about the state of the art, next to the databases LILACS, SciELO and the Bank of Theses and Dissertations from CAPES, the descriptors with cerebral palsy and family, from 2000 to 2010. Of the 79 articles retrieved, 18 were part of the sample. The articles analyzed showed that caregivers of children with cerebral palsy who do not have a support network and family tend to have lower quality of life, higher level of stress and with depression compared with caregivers who have a support network. Also, it can be observed that most caregivers unable to resume their academic or professional life, had a reduction of time for leisure activities, as well as declines in the quality of the marital relationship. Considering the results, we conclude that changes in family caregivers of children with cerebral palsy, may impair mental health and quality of life, when there is no support networks of support.