Research on social networks analyzes the relationships developed among actors who can be
objects, people, institutions, events, among others. The study in question is considered an
exploratory study and had as general objective to describe, analyze and compare the topologies
of personal social networks of caregivers of children with cerebral palsy and caregivers of
children with typical development. The sample was defined by convenience and consisted of
60 individuals equally distributed in both groups, both groups being attended at health services
in the city of Belem. Data were obtained from the application of the Biosociciodemographic
Inventory (ISD), authored by the Developmental Ecology Laboratory (PPGTPC-UFPA) and
adapted by the researcher, which characterizes the sample and the Personal Networks Analysis
Questionnaire, prepared by the Social Networks Analysis Research Group of the Development
Ecology Laboratory of PPGTPC-UFPA, with which data were collected from social networks.
The data were treated by descriptive and inferential statistics through the statistical packages
SPSS version 20.0 © for Windows, Minitab version 17.0 application and the social network
analysis software EGONET and UCINET 6. The results obtained indicate that there are
similarities in the variables: intensity of the bonds whose predominance was the bond of strong
intensity between the egos and their alters, and moderate to strong among the alters, these are
for the most part female, and the egos and their alters meet predominantly with frequency a few
times a week. Centrality measures showed similar scores. Significant statistical differences are
found in the variables: link types, and N-clicks. DTs networks presented higher densities, and
PC networks showed the type of link service providers (6.3%) that did not appear in DTs
networks (0.2%) and the number of N-clicks greater or equal to 2 (two) was more frequent in
PC networks. It is hoped that this investigation will stimulate reflection on the theme and its
implications for the relationship between social networks, disability and family.
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