Bonds (re)construction and (re)establishment during hospitalization: the child with cancer.

• Grant number: 13/14519-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2014
• End date: December 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Psychology - Human Development Psychology
• Principal Investigator: Katia de Souza Amorim
• Grantee: Camila Regina Lotto
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Children with cancer, in a hospital situation are assisted by a multidisciplinary team, usually with high turnover. Among the various factors involved in the new routine, there is the construction of new ties and rebuilding previous ties with family / friends. While in hospital, these bonds, depending on the gravity of the disease suffer a possible and imminent breakdown of the relationship, for example in case of death. The objective of this study will seek to understand how the child sees this new environment and how they (re) construct and (re) establish bonds with professionals and family. With the prospect of RedSig which understands human development as occurring throughout the life cycle, inserted in a historical and cultural context, marked by complexity, will investigate the links (re) created in the hospital situation, considering the possibilities of meanings of individuals in this context. The research methodology is qualitative, based on multiple case studies, and should be accompanied two children aged 4-5 years, with cancer, hospitalized in a health institution. Data collection will consist of an initial mapping of routine and professionals in this ward. Then four play sessions will be conducted with the child using toys, drawing materials, camera and a map of the social network (adaptation of Four Field Map of Dunn and Deater-Deckard). The analysis will be done by identifying through different resources, which are people who the child likes, which meaning that the child gives them and what affective tone the child directs them. The research aims to contribute both to the development field, as to understand how relationships are constructed in situations where there is the possibility of imminent rupture.