Representaciones sociales de la muerte en estudiantes de psicología

Abstract

Death is an inevitable and irreversible event to which health professionals working in the hospital context are exposed. Although this phenomenon is part of its daily life, it can generate an important emotional discomfort that, in turn, would have an impact on the quality and experience of its work (Cardozo et al., 2010; Costa et al., 2017; Lyra et al., 2016). This qualitative study was aimed at analyzing the social representations of death in Psychology students at the Rosario University who have had practical academic experiences in the area of health. Semi-structured interviews and word-free associations were applied to 19 students of psychology (16 women and 3 men), between 21 and 25 years old, enrolled in the Rosario University and immersed in the hospitable context. The data obtained were analyzed in the N-Vivo program and supported by the researchers' field diaries. It was found that students represent death as an expected event, which has the ability to generate both positive and negative responses. The attitude towards this event was characterized by emotions of anguish, fear, and sadness, and behaviors of support, empathy, and self-care. The university and hospital context was of particular importance as environments in which they receive information about death.