Crianças asmáticas e suas mães: avaliação psicológica através do Procedimento de Desenhos-Estórias [Asthmatic children and their mothers: Psychological Evaluation Using the Drawing-and-Story Procedure]

SARTI, Renata e LOUREIRO, Sônia R. (1996) – Crianças asmáticas e suas mães: avaliação psicológica através do Procedimento de Desenhos-Estórias [Asthmatic children and their mothers: Psychological Evaluation Using the Drawing-and-Story Procedure]. São Paulo (SP), Boletim de Psicologia, 46 (105): 79-99. Asthma has been considered a disease of diverse etiology in which the emotional and interactive factors are widely related to its manifestation. The aim of this study was to characterize aspects related to the affective manifestations of asthmatic children and their mothers through Drawing-and-Story Procedure (D-E). Ten children, six boys and four girls, mean age eight years and eight months, with clinical diagnosis of moderate and severe asthma, were evaluated during attendance in the Ambulatory of Pediatric Immunology of the HC-FMRP-USP (“Hospital das Clínicas”, College of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo). The children and their mothers were evaluated individually using semi-structured interviews and applying D-E which consisted in asking the subjects to present five graphic productions followed by stories. The protocols were evaluated by two psychologists with clinical experience, considering the consensus evaluation. The results showed a predominantly stereotyped production of graphics and stories, and low production (46%) was observed among the mothers. As far as the stories were concerned, the children tended to present descriptions (70%) while the mothers lost themselves in fantasy (44%). The analysis of the affective aspects involved in the interaction suggested the presence of life experiences of intense dependence and threat on the part of the child as opposed to life experiences of dissatisfaction and ambivalence on the part of the mother considering her provision capacity. The understanding of this affective behavior can favor the orientation of mothers, since the therapeutic approach of asthma, in general, involves them in a daily routine of special assistance.