A investigação do impacto do autismo na família: revisão crítica da literatura e proposta de um novo modelo

Pervasive developmental disorders, including autism, consist of a severe impairment in three developmental areas: impairment of social skills; impairment of communication; and stereotypical behaviors, interests and activities (DSM-IV-TR, 2002). The behavior characteristics associated with the disorder severity may be potential stressors for family, relatives and caregivers. The burden on the family depends upon a range of interacting factors which require an explaining model which takes into account the variables involved in the family’s adaptation to this chronic condition. We argue that the Bradford’s biopsychosocial model (1997), although originating in the health psychology field, may be useful for understanding developmental disorders to the extend that it emphasizes interactions between the following contextual factors; health beliefs, social support, disease challenges, coping strategies, and family communication patterns. The purpose of the present study is to make a critical review on studies regarding the impact of Pervasive Developmental Disorders in the family. As this phenomenon involves a range of interacting factors, in and outside the family and affect it’s vital cycle, we conclude that understanding could not be based upon linear relations between causes and its outcomes. As an alternative, this paper suggests the need of an explaining model with respect to the range of variables involved on the family adaptative process when facing chronic disease. We emphasize the Bradford’s model (1997), which provides a psychosocial framework that integrates cognitive and systemic conceptions in a metamodel, specifically developed for a study of the impact of chronic illness in family. Keywords: Autism; family stress; burden of care.