Abstract

PEREIRA, Ana Paula da Silva; RIBEIRO, Margarida; SOARES, Elsa Marta  and  SILVA, Carla Cilene Baptista da. Parent support group as a social support resource in Early Intervention in northern Portugal. Rev. Educ. Espec. [online]. 2023, vol.36, e71419.  Epub July 19, 2024. ISSN 1984-686X.  https://doi.org/10.5902/1984686x71419.

In terms of early intervention, family-centered practices are predominant, highlighting the positive impact of social support networks on empowerment, well-being, improving family cohesion and child-family interaction patterns. Thus, parent support groups stand out as an essential resource of social support that allow the development of positive support relationships with other parents and enable mutual support with a great influence on the social and emotional competence of the child and his/her family. With this study we intend to know, understand and explore: 1) Parents' expectations, upon joining the parent support group; 2) The benefits that parents considered to obtain by participating in the parent support group; 3) The barriers they identify in the functioning of the parent support group; 4) The recommendations for improvement identified by the parents, in the dynamics of the parent support group. This is a qualitative study, using a semi-structured interviews with 7 parents who participated (5 mothers and 2 fathers) receive support from a Local Intervention Team in the North of Portugal. Data analysis and treatment was based on content analysis with categories. Participation in the Parents Support Group contributed to greater tranquility of the families involved, leading to higher empowerment through increased information and normalization of their emotions.

Keywords : Parent Support Groups; Early intervention; Parents' perspectives.

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