Abstract

LOSS, Maria Aparecida  and  SAPIRO, Clary M.. Psychological process of getting pregnant in adolescence in a poor community: impasses and possibilities. Psicol. USP [online]. 2005, vol.16, n.4, pp. 69-98. ISSN 1678-5177.

This study presents the partial results of a content analysis of group sessions involving adolescents in a public ambulatory of Porto Alegre, RS. Our goal was to investigate female adolescents who live in a poor neighborhood of Porto Alegre, in their psychological processes of anticipating the possibilities of getting pregnant. Data collection consisted of “rap” verses written by the adolescents participants in 10 group sessions, as well as the excerpts of technical and educational manuals of sexual health and reproductive sex that constitute work tools in Public Health. The emergent categories of a content analysis revealed the inadequacy and the gap between the adolescents language and culture and the content of the material implemented as instructive and educational. We emphasize the subjective and unconscious aspects that involve human reproduction, by suggesting the neologism “engravidamento” (“pregnanting”) as a psychological process in adolescence.

Keywords : Adolescent pregnancy; Female sexuality; Psychotherapeutic processes.