[Body representation in the relation with the self after mastectomy].
This research aimed to understand how the mastectomized woman represents her body in the relations with herself. Social representations were used as a theoretical-methodological reference base. Ten mastectomized women were interviewed at their homes on the seventh day after leaving the hospital and once a month during four postoperative months. The contents of the body representation to the self converged towards four meaning units: a) mutilated bodies, the perception of which was demonstrated in difference ways; b) feeling of impotence at different times in the postoperative period; c) pain and limitation, mainly at the beginning of recovery; d) care with the body. It could be understood that, for the women, the beginning of self-care took the form of an attitude that was developed in practices reflected and taught as a continuous process after the surgery. The perception of the body/constitution/mind/spirit relation permeated every moment of their existence. The results offer important elements for reflection in relation to the assistance to mastectomized women.
Ferreira
Maria de Lourdes da Silva Marques
Mde L
Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, Brazil. malusa@connectmed.com.br
Mamede
Marli Villela
MV
D001828:Body Image; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000523:psychology*
Representação do corpo na relação consigo mesma após mastectomia.