Apoio social e redes relacionais na gravidez e infecção pelo VIH: Uma abordagem do Convoy Model1

Abstract

Social contexts are a central issue in most people’s lives. Conceptualise its influence in the adjustment to the transition to motherhood implies an emphasis on social support and social support networks. In Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection, the social support, conceptualised as a relational context, could be particularly relevant in the psychological well-being of HIV patients. In this study we intend to understand the social network of 47 HIV-positive and pregnant women and 51 pregnant women without medical risk, the main sources of support and the type of support perceived from these sources. The social support network and the perception of social support were assessed with the Convoy Model. Profile analysis suggests a greater importance of social support perceived (mainly emotional support) from partner and both parents, especially the perceived support from mother. Additionally, the perceived support from partner and mother was negatively correlated among HIV-positive group. Although this study was based on a small and convenience sample, our results sustain the relevance of social networks, as well as the importance of the relational dynamics of the social network of seropositive women.