Satisfação conjugal em famílias de pessoas com deficiência: o papel do gênero na organização do cuidado e do estresse parental

Abstract

This doctoral thesis, entitled Marital satisfaction in families of people with disabilities: an analysis of parental stress and gender, aimed to investigate the perception of marital satisfaction among mothers and fathers of children with disabilities, considering the influence of sociodemographic factors, parental stress, social support networks, and particularly gender relations. A mixed-methods design was adopted, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches, conducted with families receiving care in health services in the metropolitan region of Belém, Brazil. The thesis is structured into three complementary studies. Study 1, a quantitative, descriptive, and cross-sectional investigation, examined associations between sociodemographic characteristics, child diagnosis, and indicators of dyadic adjustment and marital satisfaction among mothers of children with disabilities. The findings revealed that socioeconomic vulnerability, lack of social benefits, and specific diagnoses—such as ADHD —were associated with lower levels of marital consensus and satisfaction. Study 2, a qualitative study, explored parents’ perceptions regarding the impact of disability on marital relationships, focusing on caregiving practices and support networks. The results highlighted the central role of gender in organizing caregiving responsibilities, with a predominance of maternal overload, as well as the significant influence of social support availability on marital quality. Study 3 analyzed the relationships among marital satisfaction, parental stress, social support, and gender, emphasizing their mediating roles. The findings indicated that higher levels of parental stress were associated with lower marital satisfaction, particularly among mothers, while social support functioned as a protective factor. Additionally, persistent gender asymmetries were identified, including the invisibility of maternal emotional labor and limited but emerging paternal involvement. Overall, the three studies demonstrate that marital satisfaction in families of children with disabilities is a multidimensional phenomenon influenced by contextual, relational, and sociocultural factors. Gender emerges as a key organizing axis of caregiving practices and stress experiences, underscoring the need for strengthening support networks and developing public policies aimed at reducing inequalities and promoting family well-being.