Relação conjugal e suporte familiar: um estudo comparativo com casais com filhos com e sem síndrome de down

Abstract

Conjugal relationships are characterized by reciprocity and mutual exchanges between two people with distinct experiences and personalities. Thus, dyadic or marital adjustment, one of the most researched variables in this context, refers to the level of agreement between spouses regarding various aspects of family life. In this sense, the birth of a child is an event that can have significant implications for marital adjustment, making family support a fundamental strategy for assisting couples. The general objective of this study was to investigate marital adjustment and family support in couples with children with and without Down syndrome. A total of 46 individuals participated, including 27 women (mothers) and 19 men (fathers) of children aged between four and 12 years. Participants were divided into two groups: parents of children with Down syndrome (DS; n = 32) and parents of children with typical development (TD; n = 14). Data collection instruments included the Family System Characterization Questionnaire (QCSF), the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (EAD), and the Family Support Perception Inventory (IPSF), along with a semi-structured interview for the group of parents of children with DS. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted on the results. The results showed that women bear the main responsibility for child and household care. Furthermore, marital relationships were generally described as amicable. The average dyadic adjustment score was higher for mothers in the TD group (118.7) and fathers in the DS group (116.5), while the lowest average was observed among fathers in the TD group (103). These findings indicate that most couples exhibit good levels of agreement, cohesion, satisfaction, and affection expression in both groups. Additionally, correlations between emotional family support and cohesion in the DS group were significant, showing a positive and moderate association between these variables. In the semi-structured interviews, all couples in the DS group (n = 15) assessed their marital relationships as amicable. They emphasized that their greatest agreements were related to parenting issues, while their main disagreements involved financial matters and the lack of time spent together. The lack of time with the partner was a recurring complaint throughout the interviews, suggesting that this factor deserves more attention in future studies. Finally, the importance of longitudinal studies with a larger sample size encompassing both types of families is highlighted, in order to deepen the understanding of the impact of parenting on marital adjustment and family support.