title: The social network and support of kidney transplantees.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to know the social network and support of those who experience the process of kidney disease and transplantation.
  
  
  METHODS
  a descriptive qualitative study, based on the concept of social network and social support from Sherbourne and Stewart. Semi-structured interviews were conducted from November 2013 to September 2014, with 12 kidney transplantees, which passed through content analysis. This study had the following selection criteria: the interviewee must have had a transplant five years ago, at most, be at lease 16 years of age and have preserved cognitive and language skills.
  
  
  RESULTS
  three categories were constructed from the analysis process that link the family as the main component of the social network, health service offers support in its various dimensions, even if it is occasionally disconnected; other interpersonal relationships are mentioned as vulnerable in this process; spirituality helps in coping.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  despite the different forms of support for transplantees, weaknesses were observed in these networks and social supports.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem. São Carlos, São Paulo, Brasil.
authors.forename: Daianne Cibele de Souza
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Borges
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem. São Carlos, São Paulo, Brasil.
authors.forename: Fernanda de Oliveira
authors.initials: FO
authors.lastname: Furino
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem. São Carlos, São Paulo, Brasil.
authors.forename: Mayara Caroline
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Barbieri
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem. São Carlos, São Paulo, Brasil.
authors.forename: Renata Olzon Dionysio de
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.affiliation: Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem em Saúde Pública. Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brasil.
authors.forename: Willyane de Andrade
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Alvarenga
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem. São Carlos, São Paulo, Brasil.
authors.forename: Giselle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dupas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006296:Health Services; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D012944:Social Support