Meeting of powerful women: social occupational therapy intervention strategy with informal caregivers of people with intellectual disabilities¹

Abstract

Objective

This paper analyzes the experience of a group called “Meeting of Powerful Women” developed by occupational therapists in a Service for Coexistence and Strengthening of Bonds of Basic Social Protection of the Unified Social Assistance System, with women who are informal caregivers of people with intellectual disabilities.

Method

This is a retrospective, exploratory and descriptive study, based on document analysis of the group participants' reports, where consultations were carried out with diverse sources such as reports developed during the interventions, image bank and field diaries of the analysis. The data were interpreted through the theoretical and methodological assumptions of Social Occupational Therapy.

Results

The interventions, through conversation rounds, thematic activity workshops and a photo essay, promoted a space for reflection and exercise of female protagonism and the strengthening of the support network and social participation. Gender themes were addressed based on the participants' daily life and experiences, such as: overload, sexism, sociocultural beliefs, sexuality and objectification of the female body.

Conclusions

The group facilitated the strengthening of bonds and the creation of social support networks and the (re)construction of life projects that valued other occupational roles, favoring the deconstruction of the strict figure of woman-mother-caregiver.

Keywords:
Occupational Therapy; Welfare; Social; Caregivers; Gender; Intellectual Disability