title: [Social representations and the experience of illness].
abstract: This article analyzes the relationship between social representations and the experience of illness. The study is a critical review of the debate on illness. The work focuses on (a) a review of the concept of "social representations of illness"; (b) key aspects of the experience of illness and; (c) principles for understanding the illness process. The authors also emphasize the necessary link between the experience of illness and the context of its material and symbolic production.
authors.affiliation: Instituto Fernandes Figueira, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 22250-020, Brasil.
authors.forename: Romeu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.forename: Eduardo Alves
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Mendonca
authors.forename: Maria Luiza
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Pontes
mesh_terms: D004194:Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D012938:Social Perception; D012941:Social Responsibility