Representações sociais sobre famílias homoafetivas por psicólogos(as) da rede de atenção psicossocial

Abstract

Homoaffective families are among the several types of family arrangements in contemporary. However, these families face some difficulties to access basic services, including health and social assistance services. The “Psychosocial Care Network” (RAPS), as a public policy, can be a way of reception and caring for these families. In the context of facing the situations of prejudice and social vulnerability of Homoaffective families, the role of psychology as a profession is necessary for the insertion of those families to these network services. This study aimed to analyze the social representations of psychologists who are in the “Psychosocial Care Network” (RAPS) about homoaffective families, their requests, and the customer services. Seven professionals of psychology participated in this research, being six women and workers of the psychosocial care network for all the municipalities that make up the high back lands of the Paraíba State. To the data collection were used a questionnaire and an interview with questions about this study objective. The analysis of socio-labor data was performed using descriptive statistics. The data resulting from the interviews were analyzed using Bardin's thematic categorical content analysis. The thematic analysis of the interviews showed the emergence of 51 context units, which were arranged in three thematic categories and two subcategories. The social representation of the professionals shows the concept of family is the first social structure, in which people develop themselves and built their own vision of the world. When characterizing what is family, psychologists highlighted affective elements as being the fundamental aspect and not necessarily the blood ties. The homoaffective families were considered that ones based by affective bonds, being a new shape / structure of family. The professionals reported that the families that are assisted by RAPS have several demands as mental health, family relationships and conflicts, among other aspects. Among the interventions, the use of psychotherapy and an emphasis on existing demands stand out, if necessary the direction of preventive actions that prevent the worsening of psychological suffering and suicide thoughts. We expect that the results will collaborate to elucidate the role of psychology as a profession in the context of RAPS and health care directed to homoaffective families.