Social support and stressful life events in portuguese multi-problem families

The identification of family risk factors and of contextual factors that protect and promote personal and social resources may contribute to break the cycles of vulnerability of multi-problem families. This study analyzes the psychosocial profile of families at risk in the Algarve (South of Portugal). The participants were 54 mothers, with a mean age of 41.9 years (SD = 6.93). The following instruments were applied: Arizona Social Support Interview Schedule (Barrera, 1980), Appendix to the Arizona Social Support Schedule (López, Menéndez, Sánchez, Hidalgo, Lorence, & Jiménez, 2006), Stressful and Risk Events Inventory (Hidalgo, Menéndez, Sánchez, López, Jiménez, & Lorence, 2005) and a sociodemographical interview. The results suggest that most stressful events are related to economic and labor problems. Furthermore, the participants reported stressful life events related with conflicts in the mother-child relationship, and the caring for a dependent relative. Mothers reported greater emotional needs than material or informative needs. Also, participants reported as their main source of support their family and friends, and experienced low support from professionals. The families’ needs regarding social support highlighted by the present data are discussed in relation to intervention programmes to be held by professionals