[Research and Psychosocial Care of Families of Individuals with Disability: a Practical Approach through the Family Quality of Life Map]

Abstract

From an ecological perspective, psychosocial care and research in families of people with disabilities involves_x000D_ considering the family as a system in constant bidirectional interaction with each of the contexts_x000D_ in which it is related, but also emphasizes the need to give the family a leading role in the care_x000D_ and research as a result of conceiving it as a member of the team, perhaps the most important_x000D_ member of it. From this view, it is essential to have dynamic, creative and flexible strategies and_x000D_ tools in order to identify from their own experiences, which are the most important needs for family_x000D_ members. Some of these tools are related to Family Quality of Life, and they have shown_x000D_ practical utility to evaluate the quality of life for families through different contexts. The Family_x000D_ Quality of Life is understood as the satisfaction of needs of the family system, based on common_x000D_ goals defined by the family members. These tools include The Family Quality of Life Scale, Map,_x000D_ Action Plan and Monitoring Plan. The present article focalized in The Quality of Life Family Map.

Los procesos de investigaci�n y de atenci�n psicosocial en familias de personas con discapacidad_x000D_ desde una perspectiva ecol�gica-contextual, demandan considerar a la familia como un_x000D_ sistema en permanente interacci�n bidireccional con cada uno de los contextos con los_x000D_ que se relaciona pero, adem�s, llama la atenci�n sobre la necesidad de otorgar a la familia_x000D_ un rol protag�nico en la atenci�n y la investigaci�n, al concebirla como un miembro_x000D_ m�s, quiz� el m�s relevante, del equipo de trabajo. Desde esta mirada se hace indispensable_x000D_ contar con estrategias y herramientas din�micas, creativas y flexibles, para la identificaci�n_x000D_ de las necesidades prioritarias de las familias, a partir de sus propias voces. Algunas_x000D_ de esas herramientas son las de Calidad de Vida Familiar, que han evidenciado, a trav�s_x000D_ de diversas aplicaciones en diferentes contextos, suficiente utilidad pr�ctica en funci�n del_x000D_ prop�sito de evaluaci�n de la calidad de vida de las familias, comprendida esta como la_x000D_ satisfacci�n de necesidades del sistema familiar a partir de metas comunes definidas por los integrantes_x000D_ de la familia. Dichas herramientas son la Escala, el Mapa, el Plan de Acci�n y el Plan_x000D_ de Seguimiento de la Calidad de Vida Familiar. En este art�culo se destaca el uso del Mapa de_x000D_ Calidad de Vida Familiar.