O USO DE MAPAS DA REDE PESSOAL SOCIAL: ESTRATÉGIA DE PESQUISA E INTERVENÇÃO JUNTO A ADOLESCENTES EM SOFRIMENTO PSÍQUICO

Abstract

Introduction: Adolescence is a period that, in comparison with other age groups, does not present high rates of illness; however, self-injured violence has been prominent in its morbidity and mortality. Methodological strategies for careful and ethical approach to these phenomena in adolescence, and with direct benefits to the individuals, have been recommended by the literature. Goals: Analyze the use of the individual social network map as a methodological strategy for adolescents in psychological distress. Methods: Methodological study that reports the experience of using minimal maps of the individual social network; conducted at a public school with adolescents in a country town of São Paulo, Brazil. Results: Considering the methodological and scientific issues, the use of maps proved to be meaningful and consistent. The use of low cost and easy access materials, allowed the application in different contexts and situations. By ethical terms, it allowed careful access to experienced absences. Conclusions: The use of this strategy was important both for the scientific design, accessing knowledge that would hardly be brought by other collection data instruments, and for therapeutic intervention designed by the construction of concrete support devices.