Interações fraternais em famílias de crianças e adolescentes com síndrome de Down

Abstract

This study aimed to describe sibling interactions in families of children and adolescents with Down’s syndrome (DS), focusing on the quality, structure, content and categories of command and responsivity. It took part in the research a total of 10 dyads of brothers, one with a DS diagnosis, and their parents. Data were collected in the families' homes in three phases, including: filling out the Questionnaire of Family System Characteristics, conducting semi-structured interviews, and video recording of the observation sessions of the siblings’ dyads. The results show an assortment in the living standards of families, as well as the perception of the parents and siblings about family relationships. The participants had a positive perception of the sibling relationship. During observation sessions, the brothers engaged mainly in recreational activities so as 'Joint', with 'Friendliness', 'Synchrony', 'Supervision' and 'Leadership' of the sibling with typical development (TD). Behaviors of command were more issued by the sibling with TD, while the sibling with DS issued predominantly behaviors of responsivity. Stands out the importance of investigating the interrelationship between the different family subsystems to a better understanding of the relationships developed in the family.