Figure 4 -. Factors that threaten hope: description of the empirical findings. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.

Factors that Threaten Hope
Subtopic and Definition	Identification of empirical data
Conflictual close relationships: relationships that generate negative feelings such as pain, anguish, loneliness, anxiety and sadness	Spouses in extramarital relationships He got involved with other women when I was in the hospital with my son. He threatened my feelings, I don’t know if that can be healed (M1). Derogatory remarks about the child from family members My mother-in-law and my sister-in-law treat my son as if he were incapable; they say things that hurt me a lot (M16).
Discrediting the child: third partied discrediting the child’s potential or the evolution of their clinical condition	Family members My mother says he will be debilitated. She has this pessimistic view. She says he will never play soccer (M7). Friends I feel this from people around me. It’s a kind of prejudice regarding my son’s use of hearing aids (M13). Health professionals who discredited the survival and development of the children They told us that she wouldn’t walk, she wouldn’t talk (F33).
Uncertainties about the future:undesirable events that can compromise the child’s health condition and the families’ condition to maintain care	New adversities related to child health For me, the only threat is the disease, I’m afraid it will keep progressing, even with the treatment (M45). Uncertainties about their lives Fear! (Mother cries). I’m very afraid of losing her, I’m afraid she won’t live long (M24).
Doubts regarding self-potential and self- efficacy:family’s insecurities and perceptions about inability to help and lack of confidence to provide care	Required care He was so tiny to need oxygen. He even had to come home with the oxygen. And it was extremely difficult for me (M10). Fragility of the child I was afraid because he was very small and I couldn’t take care of him. I was like: How to take care of something so little? (M1). Overload related to care demands Sometimes we are so overloaded with work, you know? There are many demands. Sometimes you get really discouraged (M15). Inability to maintain care due to financial difficulties Unemployment complicates everything, there are things she needs that I cannot buy (F41).