REPRESENTATIONS OF NURSING STUDENTS ABOUT SEXUALITY: BETWEEN STEREOTYPES AND TABOOS

Abstract Considering sexuality as a fundamental part of human life, the present study had the goal of understanding how Nursing students represent sexuality. We chose to make a qualitative research based on the Social Representation theory. The study sample was composed of undergraduate Nursing students enrolled in a public institution. The data collection was performed with the aid of the IRaMuTeQ software, version 0.7 alpha 2, and it was based on Content Analysis. Sexua-lity was represented as something that should remain hidden both in the context of school and within the family. Even though their training was a factor that contributed to their change in conception about sexua-lity, feelings such as shame and shyness were present during the practices of the students, which verified that the representations are based on stereotypes and taboos. Thus, there is a visible need for more spaces for discussions within the university and within society, but discussions that understand the practice, and are not limited to theory.

摘要 本研究将性视为人类生活的核心组成部分，旨在探讨护理专业学生对性的社会表征。研究采用基于社会表征理论（Social Representation theory）的质性研究方法，样本为某公立院校的护理学本科在读学生。数据收集借助版本号为0.7 alpha 2的IRaMuTeQ软件完成，研究采用内容分析法。结果显示，研究对象将性视作在校园与家庭场景中均需隐秘化的事物。尽管护理专业培训是推动学生性观念转变的因素之一，但学生在实践过程中仍会体验到羞耻与腼腆等情绪，这证实其对性的表征仍基于刻板印象与社会禁忌。因此，在高校与社会层面均亟需创设更多讨论空间，且此类讨论应紧扣实践而非局限于理论范畴。