FAMILY APPRAISAL OF THE DOWN SYNDROME DIAGNOSIS

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the family appraisal about the Down syndrome diagnosis. Method: this is a qualitative, exploratory study, guided by the Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment, and Adaptation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 Brazilian parents of children with Down syndrome (19 mothers and 1 father). The data were collected between February and June 2016 and were analyzed using a directed content analysis approach and MAXQDA ©, version 12.2.0 software was used to help manage the data. Results: the moment of suspected or confirmed diagnosis of Down syndrome occurred predominantly in the postnatal period. Parents viewed the experience of being informed of their child’s diagnosis as a negative experience and were mostly dissatisfied with how professionals informed them. Parents reported that, over time, their view of having a child with Down syndrome became more positive. Conclusion: the family's perception of how they were informed of their child’s diagnosis plays a critical role in the family adaptation process and may ultimately contribute to how well they adapt. Findings from this study will help in the identification of key competencies needed by health professionals who engage in informing families about their child's diagnosis of Down syndrome.