Maternal adaptation to caring for a child with congenital Zika virus syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

to understand the process of maternal adaptation to caring for a child with Congenital Zika Virus Syndrome.

METHODS

a descriptive, qualitative study grounded in Roy's Adaptation Model. Twenty mothers who care for children with this syndrome, from different Brazilian states, were interviewed remotely between January and October 2024. The data were subjected to reflexive thematic analysis.

RESULTS

The mothers experienced challenges related to the diagnosis, the grief for the idealized child, and the adaptation to a new reality. The adaptive modes highlighted physical and emotional overload, the reorganization of self-concept and role performance, and the fragility of support networks.

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: The findings reinforce the need for professional support and intersectoral strategies that expand assistance to mothers, promoting psychosocial care, social inclusion, and access to specialized services.