Experiências de famílias recasadas: resposta ao estresse e a busca por bem-estar

Abstract

The term family, besides including a group of people, represents a social construction, instituted by norms, values and representations, transmitted culturally from parents to children. As a construction, in the case of remarried families, there is a resizing of limits and the emergence of a new dynamic from the bonds established between its members. Marital and parental dynamics are differentiated in remarriage, and are commonly associated with increased stress, since its members have histories of other relationships. In addition, we consider the ways in which families respond to stress in different socioeconomic strata, resulting in well-being. The way remarried families respond to stress in the marital and parental subsystems is another aspect to highlight in our study and research proposal. We were interested in researching remarried families, conducting an exploratory study with a view to discussing the different meanings of the experiences of these families, in order to answer the main objective: to understand, from narratives that portray the singular experiences, the varied strategies used to deal with stress and the way remarried families create well-being. We use the qualitative methodology, because it is more appropriate for those who seek flexibility in the construction of research data, trying to describe in depth the issues of social life and valuing the inductive exploration of the research field, highlighting the experience of families. Moreover, the qualitative methodology deals with complex objects, respecting the diversities, their distinct dimensions without losing sight of the whole. To carry out this research, we interviewed 12 remarried families in which at least one of the members of the couple has adolescent children from the previous marriage. We used the Timeline and a semi-structured interview script, as well as a form to collect sociodemographic data. We work with Content Analysis, establishing thematic axes and their respective categories, which are: 'what stresses me in marriage', 'divorce and remarriage', 'what stresses me in the relationship with adolescent children', 'lack of autonomy in the care of the stepson,', 'isolation in the COVID-19 pandemic' and 'fear of losing my job', 'pregnancy and birth of children', 'dialogue in the parental relationship', 'Social and Affective support', 'socioeconomic life in balance', 'dialogue in the conjugal relationship', 'travel', 'happiness in marriage', 'coexistence among family members', 'respecting individualities', 'emotional support to children'. As main results, we highlight that the response that families give to stress keeps them in balance, extending their feelings, sensations and perceptions about stressful situations. We conclude that valuing the strategies that remarried families have to deal with stress and promote well-being can help reduce a stigmatized look in relation to the dynamics of this family model.