O luto em instituições de abrigamento: um desafio para cuidadores temporários

Abstract

The aim of this qualitative study is to investigate and to reflect about bereavement, risk factors and protection of children s institutionalization process taking into consideration the caregivers practice. The Attachment Theory and the perspective of The Making and Breaking of Affectional Bonds were the foundations used to build theoretical and analytical considerations. The analyzed sample was constituted by parts of supervisions of five professional caregivers who worked for children shelters. The supervisions took place between the years of 2003 and 2005, and this author was the supervisor. The issues were brought by the caregivers and it was possible to learn not only about some sheltered children behavior and their bereavement manifestations, but also about the way the caregivers comprehend and deal with them. When talking about difficult and painful subjects is aloud, and when reactions and behaviors are recognized and validated, the adults involved in the sheltering and unsheltering processes may take prophylactic actions related to the formation and breaking of affectional bonds that aim at the children s healthy development, adaptation to the shelter and avoidance of new risks. The caregivers are able to deal with these difficult issues, once support is given, and the supervision is an extremely adequate place for it. To study about the caregivers practice in the process of children s sheltering was very important in order to visualize how the institution may positively and negatively interfere in the process of the emotional recovery from family separation, minimizing future bonding problems. The institution and every person involved in this process have the opportunity to provide protection factors related to the sheltering period of time, opening a way of thinking about prevention and therapeutic interventions to the sheltered child