Automutilação: abordagens e estratégias de enfrentamento desenvolvidas por docentes nas escolas públicas de ensino fundamental anos finais de Manaus

Abstract

The number of reported cases of self-inflicted injuries, including self-harm and attempted suicide, has increased in Amazonas. For example, in 2023, there was a 192% increase compared to 2018. Self-harm, defined as any intentional behavior involving direct aggression against one's own body without the conscious intent to commit suicide, is a complex, multi-causal phenomenon suggesting an intense state of suffering, especially among adolescent girls. For this reason, this study examined how teachers in public elementary schools in Manaus address and deal with the social phenomenon of self-harm among adolescents. To this end, two studies were conducted. The first study was a review of scientific literature on self-harm in schools that aimed to identify literature on preventive actions for self-harm in adolescents. Data were collected from journals indexed in the SCIELO, LILACS, PEPSIC, OASISBR, and CAPES databases using the Population, Concept, and Context (PCC) strategy with the search terms "self-harm" and "adolescents" and "school." Articles dealing with intervention and prevention actions for self-harm among adolescents in a school context were included. The analyses revealed the necessity of interventions with adolescents, as well as guidance for families and school staff to recognize the physical and emotional signs of self-harm and intervene appropriately, thereby contributing to the prevention and control of this behavior. Study 2 is an empirical qualitative study that aims to investigate how teachers in public elementary schools in Manaus address and deal with the social phenomenon of self-harm among adolescents. For this study, we conducted semi-structured interviews with seventeen public school teachers who were recruited using snowball sampling. The data were interpreted through thematic content analysis. 13 The following categories were identified from the analyses: "The Mark of Pain," "Isolation," "Action," and "No Action." Teachers reported incidents of self-harm when they observed marks or cuts on students' bodies. Teachers then referred students to the pedagogical sector or, in its absence, to the school administration. However, we found that a lack of resources and support services in schools influences the quality of care and follow-up for students. We hope this study contributes to reducing prejudice and stigma related to these cases. This master's thesis is linked to the Laboratory of Education, Psychology, and Social Theory (Lepts/UEA/UFAM) and the macro project "The Subjective Dimension of Social Phenomena." It belongs to the Psychosocial Processes research line of the Graduate Program in Psychology at the Federal University of Amazonas.