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The scope of this study was to analyze the quality of life of family caregivers of adults with spinal cord injury. Two researchers conducted a systematic review independently, based on articles published between 2000 to 2014, using the key words quality of life and caregivers or family and spinal cord, in Portuguese, English and Spanish. The search was conducted in the Virtual Health Library (BVS) and the United States National Library of Medicine (PubMED) databases. Caregivers of tetraplegics have a worse quality of life than caregivers of paraplegics. Changes in the quality of life for the caregivers were not significant over time. Different results were observed when comparing caregivers of adults with spinal cord injury and healthy subjects. Factors that negatively influence the quality of life of caregivers were the presence of chronic disease; greater care time, age and number of children; and lower schooling level of caregivers. There is a need for public health policy development and preparation of more comprehensive intervention strategies that include not only the patient but also the caregiver.

The aim of the study was to comprehend how the age group and the severity of the motor impairment of children with cerebral palsy modify the mothers' experiences of stress and to understand the coping strategies they use. A qualitative approach was used, with the method framed on Grounded Theory Analysis. Nineteen mothers of children and adolescents with different degrees of motor impairment participated in individual semi-structured interviews. A lack of support and increased time and effort invested in parenting, at the cost of other areas of life threaten participants' physical and emotional health. Mothers of children with mild impairment suffer more from the challenge of dealing with their children's emotional problems, aggression and learning difficulties. For mothers whose children have severe impairment, the major difficulties relate to coping with health complications and functional limitations. Mothers of younger children report diverse sources of stress and scarcity of resources; while mothers of adolescents have greater experience and are able to take up their life projects again. Experience, knowledge and support received are critical for adaptation.

This article aims to select, evaluate and interpret critically the bibliographic production focused on the stress experienced by parents/caregivers of children with cerebral palsy. An integrative literature review was conducted. Sources for this search were the Virtual Health Library (VHL), the United States National Library of Medicine (PubMed) and manual search of references from the selected studies. It was decided to select studies published between 1998 and 2011. The sample included 13 articles. Parents of children with cerebral palsy have higher stress levels than parents of children without disabilities. Behavioral problems, psychological disorders and emotional needs of children were factors commonly associated with high levels of stress. Satisfaction with social support, satisfaction with the parental role, a good family rapport, an emotional bond between father/mother and child, spousal support and the sense of being an active participation in social life help reduce stress levels. Parents of children with cerebral palsy are likely to have their health affected by higher levels of stress. Thus, health professionals should give them special attention.

The study sought to identify and analyze research related to knowledge and information received by parents of children with cerebral palsy or Down syndrome about these disabilities. It involves a bibliographical revision limited to the period from 1996 through 2008. Computerized data bases were used to collect information, using the following terms as key words: cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, knowledge and family. Fifty-seven studies were located from which 16 were selected; of these, seven were related to cerebral palsy, four to Down syndrome and five were related to sundry deficiencies. The parents receive little information from the healthcare staff and clearly have many doubts about cerebral palsy and Down syndrome. This makes it very difficult for the parents to assist in the treatment of their children, as well as interfering in educational practices and decision-making. There is a need for educational actions to change this reality. Only one research project sought to implement educational strategies which focused on broadening knowledge among family members about aspects related to Down syndrome. It was concluded that there is an urgent need to conduct research and develop actions that contribute to parents being better informed and more secure about their children's health care.