FAMILY RESILIENCE AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS IN ILLNESS: A CASE STUDY IN A BRAZILIAN SOCIALLY VULNERABLE CONTEXT

Introduction: it is known that family resilience processes are associated to context factors, such as social support, especially when facing stressing events. Objectives: this study aims to understand how families deal with an illness and what resources they can use to reestablish a healthy functioning. Method: Two families that identified a disease as the greater difficulty faced by them in the last years was selected for this study. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews. This study is part of a broader longitudinal research that aims to follow the family development and resilience processes in a neighborhood in Porto Alegre, south Brazil. The families were selected considering the type of adversity faced by them, the observed outcomes and the available resources. A content categorical analysis was used, considering categories previously defined: the most difficult event faced during the last years, resources and coping strategies and outcomes. Results and conclusion: Even facing similar difficulties, it seems that having a variety of resources, such as social support and family unity, helps families to develop better strategies to reestablish a healthy functioning. The results indicate that, when establishing a treatment plan, the healthcare professionals must be attentive not only about patient adhesion and personal resources, but also about the coping strategies of the entire family and its social network.