Abstract

MARINHO, Fabiana Drumond; NARDI, Susilene Tonelli; AVELLAR, Luziane Zaccché  and  COUTINHO, Gilma Corrêa. Fear and insignificance: social representations of leprosy for adolescents with the disease. Psic., Saúde & Doenças [online]. 2019, vol.20, n.1, pp.192-208. ISSN 1645-0086.  https://doi.org/10.15309/19psd200116.

Based on the Theory of Social Representations, the study aimed to investigate and analyze the social representations of leprosy for adolescents with the disease, as well as exploring the objectification process relating to the production of representations of contexts. Whose data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted with 19 subjects in drug treatment for leprosy aged 12 to 18 years. The verbal material was analyzed by Alceste software, which generated five classes. The results indicated representations marked by positive and negative affects on the disease dynamics that confirms the iconic content of the representations. The preparation of the figurative core of leprosy object, for some participants, was based on the idea of tranquility, unconcern and healing; for others, it was represented as a frightening and threatening disease. The data also indicated gaps between scientific knowledge and common sense with regard to leprosy, contributing to a symbolic construction of the disease underpinned by beliefs and fanciful ideas by some respondents. It follows, therefore, the need for improvement of professional practices for the development of psychosocial dimension, taking legitimate action not only of scientific knowledge, but as the construction of reality in that from an active process to take effect production spaces and transformation of archaic representations.

Keywords : social representation; leprosy; adolescents.

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