Os significados das experiências em situação de pandemia da COVID-19 para os adolescentes.

Abstract

The word “adolescence” comes from the Latin – “adolescere”, which means to grow. This is a particular and singular period in the life of an individual, situated between childhood and adulthood. Based on Winnicott's psychoanalytic theory, adolescence is characterized by physical changes arising from puberty and by psychic and emotional transformations, which imply growth and maturity, although this takes time. Faced with the Covid-19 pandemic scenario, which demarcated a social and public health crisis, Brazil adopted some coping measures: quarantine, physical distancing and school closures, among others. Nonetheless, compliance with physical distancing can affect the mental health of adolescents. This concern about the mental health of the adolescent population is remarkable: readaptation as a result of confinement and the need for a new adaptation to the reality naturally present in the period of adolescence. Thus, the general objective of this research was to understand the meanings of experiences in a situation of the covid-19 pandemic for adolescents. This research was approved by the Research Ethics Committee (CEP) of the Federal University of Alagoas. This is a qualitative, descriptive, exploratory, and interventional research. All research was carried out online, due to the pandemic situation. For the constitution of the sample, the “snowball sampling” technique was utilized. The instruments used were the sociodemographic questionnaire and the Drawing-Story Procedure with Theme (PDE-T), with the insignia “draw a teenager in a situation of a coronavirus pandemic”. The research consisted of 74 adolescents aged between 12 and 17 years and 11 months, of both sexes and residing in Brazil, 32 from the Northeast, 17 from the Southeast, 13 from the South, 7 from the Midwest and 5 from the North region. For analysis, the Drawing-Stories with Theme were considered and followed Vaisberg's recommendations. The interpretation of the results was based on Winnicott's psychoanalytic theory, as well as on research on the subject. The study was well accepted by the adolescents and provided a welcoming space for research-intervention. The thematic analysis identified 12 categories, described below. “Physical distancing” was the main theme of the research, represented negatively in the face of distance from friends, school, leisure, and crossed all other themes, having been addressed by 64 participants. “Expressed feelings” was the second most approached theme among adolescents (63 participants), characterized by sufferers (loneliness, sadness and boredom) and enhancers (overcoming, satisfaction; care; affection). Thus, 34 young people addressed affliction and suffering and 29 recognized the pandemic conflict and overcame it through unique creative resources. Technological devices (42 participants) were mostly used for entertainment, more associated with the theme of food - fast food (11 participants) and less used to maintain relationships between peers (3 adolescents), which demonstrates the limits of virtual interactions and the importance and gains of face-to-face interactions. The theme “studies” pointed out that about 31 young people continued their studies in the pandemic, even with fatigue and overload. It is worth mentioning that this aspect circumscribes studies with life projects, which is relevant in adolescence, especially in the face of a health crisis. The change in routine, reported by 28 adolescents, markedly showed physical absences: school, friends, interactions and games, leisure, church, leaving home. The endogenous relationships (27 participants) presented, for the most part, relationships based on affection/care, approached by 17 young people. Exogenous relationships (20 participants) represented nostalgia for the distance from relationships with peers, being characterized as something negative. The topic of prevention was mentioned by 14 adolescents and addressed the use of face masks, alcohol gel and personal hygiene. The work activity, mentioned by 9 adolescents, indicated in most DETs (5 participants) the domestic activity performed by young people. Faith/religiosity was important for some adolescents (8 participants), mainly to deal with conflicts arising from the pandemic. Hobbies were activities carried out by about 5 participants, with reading being the most expressive activity. Finally, this study presented limitations regarding the participation restricted only to young people with technological devices and internet access, in addition, it was not possible to have a significant representation of all states and regions of Brazil, which implied the impossibility of quantitative and comparative analysis between them. It is hoped that this study will contribute to future research and interventions, given the power of such activities with adolescents by promoting a space for speech and expression of unique experiences even if remotely.