Resumo:
Introduction: The role of caregiver is historically associated with the female figure, and is
intensified in the context of caring for children with visual impairments, a condition that
significantly impacts child development and family dynamics, requiring mothers to be more
involved in caregiving and to relinquish other occupational roles. The objective was to
understand the occupational roles played by women who are mothers of children with visual
impairments. Methods: This is an exploratory, qualitative study. Data collection was
conducted through semi-structured interviews and the application of the Occupational Roles
List instrument, used as a supplementary resource. Data were analyzed using Bardin's content
analysis technique. Results: Ten mothers participated in the study, and data analysis resulted
in the identification of three main categories: the impact of the diagnosis on family and
maternal life; occupational roles and their impact on identity; and support networks.
Discussion: The diagnosis caused initial distress and required family reorganization,
impacting maternal occupational roles by centralizing care, while family and institutional
support was essential for the caregivers' balance and maintenance of their occupations.
Conclusion: For the participants, family constitutes their primary support network, and the
stronger this network, the greater their engagement in other occupations. The desire to reclaim
and acquire occupational roles highlights the search for the reconstruction of their own
identity.
