(Re)Configuration of significant personal networks of mothers of children with autistic spectrum disorder

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15448/1980-8623.2026.1.42865

Keywords:

Autism, Global Developmental Disorders, Mothers, Personal network

Abstract

The diagnosis of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder can be challenging for families, especially for mothers, so personal support can be fundamental in this context. This study investigated the configuration of the significant personal networks of 12 mothers of children with ASD, before and after diagnosis. The map of significant personal networks was used and the analysis was carried out through the frequency referring to the structure and functions of the network members. It was observed that ASD was related to reconfigutations in maternal personal networks, however, in general, the networks started to have structure and functions adjusted to the new reality. Therefore, the importance of considering significant social networks in research and in intervention in the face of ASD is highlighted, as they proved to be important resources for the reorganization of families after the diagnosis.

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Author Biographies

Carolina Schmitt Colomé, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.

PhD candidate in Psychology at the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC); holds a Master’s degree and an undergraduate degree in Psychology from the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM).

Cândida Prates Dantas, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil

Master's student in Psychoanalysis: Clinic and Culture at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) and holds a degree in Psychology from the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM).

Mariana Gonçalves Rossi, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil

Psychology undergraduate at the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM).

Jana Gonçalves Zappe, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil

Holds a PhD in Psychology from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), a Master’s degree and an undergraduate degree in Psychology from the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), and is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology and the Graduate Program in Psychology at UFSM.

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Published

2026-08-20

How to Cite

Colomé, C. S., Dantas, C. P., Rossi, M. G., & Zappe, J. G. (2026). (Re)Configuration of significant personal networks of mothers of children with autistic spectrum disorder. Psico, 57(1), e42865. https://doi.org/10.15448/1980-8623.2026.1.42865

Issue

Vol. 57 No. 1 (2026): Single Volume - Continuous flow

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Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Carolina Schmitt Colomé, Cândida Prates Dantas, Mariana Gonçalves Rossi, Jana Gonçalves Zappe

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.