Social representations as an epistemological matrix of health care and Nursing
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.8047.4977Keywords:
Social Representation; Knowledge; Humanization of Assistance; Theoretical Models; Psychological Models; Social Psychology.Abstract
Objective: to reflect on the epistemological aspects of Social Representations Theory in the field of health care and Nursing. Method: this is a theoretical-reflective essay based on the conceptual reading of the main texts that influenced this theory. These texts were articulated with the literature in the health field. Results: social representations are the ways in which groups interpret the reality in which they live and guide their behaviors and practices. They function as a symbolic substance situated between what can be observed and what cannot be directly apprehended. From this perspective, they make it possible to understand how individuals and groups formulate their beliefs based on their experiences and on the values attributed to their lived experiences. In studies on health care and Nursing, this theory seeks to understand the representations established about care, as well as the meanings attributed to it. Conclusion: social representations bring researchers closer to the contexts that sustain meanings, allowing them to understand people’s beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors related to health and illness processes, thus supporting the development of therapeutic plans that are more aligned with the needs of those receiving care.
Downloads
References
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
RLAE’s authorship concept is based on the substantial contribution by each of the individuals listed as authors, mainly in terms of conceiving and planning the research project, collecting or analyzing and interpreting data, writing and critical review. Indication of authors’ names under the article title is limited to six. If more, authors are listed on the online submission form under Acknowledgements. The possibility of including more than six authors will only be examined on multicenter studies, considering the explanations presented by the authors.Including names of authors whose contribution does not fit into the above criteria cannot be justified. Those names can be included in the Acknowledgements section.
Authors are fully responsible for the concepts disseminated in their manuscripts, which do not necessarily reflect the editors’ and editorial board’s opinion.
