Social representation of elderly people on falls: structural analysis and in the light of Neuman.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the symbolic elements and the hierarchical system of representations of elderly people on falls, according to Abric's structural analysis and Neuman's theory. METHOD: Abric structural approach developed at the home of primary care users in a city of Minas Gerais. A free evocation technique of images triggered by images was performed in 2016 with elderly individuals (≥65 years old). Data treated by dictionary of equivalent terms; processed in Evoc 2000 software converging, analytically, according to Neuman. Ethical/legal criteria were met. RESULTS: 195 people participated, 78.5% were women, and 45.1% were aged ≥75 years. Summarized 897 words; 155 different ones. Central nucleus containing cognates: dizziness-vertigo-labyrinthitis and slipper-shoes (behavioral and objective dimension). The word disease integrated the area of contrast. Environmental and personal stressors were identified according to Neuman. Final considerations: Objects and risk behaviors for falls integrated the representations, although environmental and personal stressors indicate the need for preventive interventions in the environment and in the intrapersonal dimension.

Social representation of elderly people on falls: structural analysis and in the light of Neuman / Representación social de ancianos sobre caídas: análisis estructural ya la luz de Neuman / Representação social de pessoas idosas sobre quedas: análise estrutural e à luz de Neuman

ABSTRACT Objective: To understand the symbolic elements and the hierarchical system of representations of elderly people on falls, according to Abric's structural analysis and Neuman's theory. Method: Abric structural approach developed at the home of primary care users in a city of Minas Gerais. A free evocation technique of images triggered by images was performed in 2016 with elderly individuals (≥65 years old). Data treated by dictionary of equivalent terms; processed in Evoc 2000 software converging, analytically, according to Neuman. Ethical/legal criteria were met. Results: 195 people participated, 78.5% were women, and 45.1% were aged ≥75 years. Summarized 897 words; 155 different ones. Central nucleus containing cognates: dizziness-vertigo-labyrinthitis and slipper-shoes (behavioral and objective dimension). The word disease integrated the area of contrast. Environmental and personal stressors were identified according to Neuman. Final considerations: Objects and risk behaviors for falls integrated the representations, although environmental and personal stressors indicate the need for preventive interventions in the environment and in the intrapersonal dimension.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Comprender los elementos simbólicos y el sistema jerárquico de las representaciones de personas mayores sobre caídas, según análisis estructural de Abric y teoría de Neuman. Método: Enfoque estructural de Abric desarrollada en el domicilio de usuarios de la atención primaria en una ciudad de Minas Gerais. Se realizó técnica de evocación libre de palabras desencadenadas por imágenes en 2016 con ancianos (≥65 años). Datos tratados por el diccionario de términos equivalentes; procesados en el software Evoc 2000 convergiendo analíticamente, según Neuman. Atendidos criterios éticos/legales. Resultados: Participaron 195 personas, 78,5% eran mujeres, siendo 45,1% con edad ≥75 años. Evocadas 897 palabras; 155 distintas. Núcleo central que contiene cognemas: tonteira-vértigo-laberíntitis y zapato-calzado (dimensión comportamental y objetival). La palabra enfermedad integró el área de contraste. Se identificaron estresores ambientales y personales según Neuman. Consideraciones finales: Objetos y comportamientos de riesgo para caídas integraron las representaciones, aunque estresores ambientales y personales indiquen necesidad de intervenciones preventivas en el ambiente y en la dimensión intrapersonal.

RESUMO Objetivo: Compreender os elementos simbólicos e o sistema hierárquico das representações de pessoas idosas sobre quedas, segundo análise estrutural de Abric e teoria de Neuman. Método: Abordagem estrutural de Abric desenvolvida no domicílio de usuários da atenção primária numa cidade de Minas Gerais. Realizou-se técnica de evocação livre de palavras desencadeadas por imagens em 2016 com idosos (≥65 anos). Dados tratados por dicionário de termos equivalentes; processados no software Evoc 2000 convergindo analiticamente, segundo Neuman. Atendidos critérios éticos/legais. Resultados: Participaram 195 pessoas, 78,5% eram mulheres, sendo 45,1% com idade ≥75 anos. Evocadas 897 palavras; 155 distintas. Núcleo central contendo cognemas: tonteira-vertigem-labirintite e chinelo-calçado (dimensão comportamental e objetival). A palavra doença integrou a área de contraste. Foram identificados estressores ambientais e pessoais segundo Neuman. Considerações finais: Objetos e comportamentos de risco para quedas integraram as representações, embora estressores ambientais e pessoais indiquem necessidade de intervenções preventivas no ambiente e na dimensão intrapessoal.