Body representation in the relation with the self after mastectomy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-11692003000300006Keywords:
human body, mastectomy, self-imageAbstract
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.Downloads
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Published
2003-06-01
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Original Articles
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How to Cite
Body representation in the relation with the self after mastectomy. (2003). Revista Latino-Americana De Enfermagem, 11(3), 299-304. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-11692003000300006