Acessibilidade / Reportar erro

Understanding prejudice of psychic suffering individuals about sexuality

Entender los prejuicios de los individuos de sufrimiento psíquico sobre la sexualidad

ABSTRACT

Objectives:

to understand the conceptions of individuals in psychological distress about their sexuality.

Methods:

qualitative study held at a Psychosocial Care Center. Fifteen people assisted in the service participated. A semi-structured questionnaire and script with identification data survey and guiding questions were applied. Data were analyzed by Content Analysis.

Results:

the following categories emerged: Prejudice of assisted people regarding homosexuality; Prejudice of assisted people regarding the expression of sexuality and the social context; Prejudice to the affective relationship among people assisted in CAPS; Prejudice of people assisted in the expression of female sexuality; Prejudice of society to the sexual orientation of assisted people.

Final considerations:

sexuality understanding showed that these are conceptions linked to prejudice and stigma of society. Although sexuality was present, it is clear that it was surrounded by taboos, myths and value judgments, in which the only way to deal with it was through repression.

Descriptors:
Psychological Stress; Prejudice; Nursing; Mental Health; Sexuality

RESUMEN

Objetivos:

eomprender las concepciones de las personas con sufrimiento psíquico sobre su sexualidad.

Métodos:

estudio cualitativo realizado en un Centro de Atención Psicosocial (Centro de Atenção Psicossocial). Participaron 15 personas asistidas en el servicio. Se aplicó un cuestionario semiestructurado y un guión con encuesta de datos de identificación y preguntas orientadoras. Los datos fueron analizados por Análisis de Contenido.

Resultados:

surgieron las siguientes categorías: prejuicio de las personas asistidas en relación con la homosexualidad; Prejuicio de las personas asistidas con respecto a la expresión de la sexualidad y el contexto social; Prejuicio a la relación afectiva entre las personas asistidas en CAPS; Prejuicio de las personas asistidas en la expresión de la sexualidad femenina; Prejuicio de la sociedad a la orientación sexual de las personas asistidas.

Consideraciones finales:

la comprensión de la sexualidad mostró que se trata de concepciones vinculadas al prejuicio y el estigma de la sociedad. Aunque la sexualidad estaba presente, está claro que estaba rodeada de tabúes, mitos y juicios de valor, en los que la única forma de tratarla era a través de la represión.

Descriptores:
Estrés Psicológico; Prejuicio; Enfermería; Salud Mental; Sexualidad

RESUMO

Objetivos:

compreender as concepções de indivíduos com sofimento psíquico sobre sua sexualidade.

Métodos:

qualitativo, realizado em Centro de Atenção Psicossocial. Participaram 15 pessoas assistidas no serviço. Aplicado questionário semi-estruturado e roteiro com levantamento de dados de identificação e questões norteadoras. Dados analisados pela Análise de Conteúdo.

Resultados:

emergiram as categorias: Preconceito das pessoas assistidas em relação à homossexualidade; Preconceito das pessoas assistidas quanto à expressão da sexualidade e o contexto social; Preconceito ao relacionamento afetivo entre as pessoas assistidas no CAPS; Preconceito das pessoas assistidas à expressão da sexualidade feminina; Preconceito da sociedade à orientação sexual das pessoas assistidas.

Considerações finais:

o entendimento da sexualidade evidenciou tratar-se de concepções ligadas ao preconceito e estigma da sociedade. Embora a sexualidade estivesse presente, percebe-se que foi rodeada de tabus, mitos e juízos de valor, diante dos quais a única forma encontrada para lidar com ela, se deu por meio da repressão.

Descritores:
Sofrimento Psíquico; Preconceito; Enfermagem; Saúde Mental; Sexualidade

INTRODUCTION

Human sexuality is considered an expression influenced by biological, physiological, emotional, social and cultural factors that affect the life and health of each individual(11 Oka M, Laurenti C. Between sex and gender: an exploratory bibliographic study of health sciences. Saude Soc. 2018;27(1):238-51. doi: 10.1590/s0104-12902018170524
https://doi.org/10.1590/s0104-1290201817...
).

As it is a natural phenomenon, it is susceptible to historical, social and cultural influences. In this sense, it is society and culture that designate whether or not certain sexual practices are appropriate, moral or immoral, healthy or unhealthy(11 Oka M, Laurenti C. Between sex and gender: an exploratory bibliographic study of health sciences. Saude Soc. 2018;27(1):238-51. doi: 10.1590/s0104-12902018170524
https://doi.org/10.1590/s0104-1290201817...
).

Sexuality is an inherent dimension of each person, present in all aspects of life, which influences the way each person manifests, communicates, feels and expresses. It can be seen as an identity, spelled out in the way the individual establishes a relationship with himself and the world, and is present from before birth to the moment of death. It is an integral part of human personality and its development is completed as a basic human need such as desire for contact, intimacy, emotional expression, pleasure, love and affection(22 Queiroz MAC, Lourenço RME, Coelho MMF, Miranda KCL, Barbosa RGB, Bezerra STF. Social representations of sexuality among the elderly. Rev Bras Enferm. 2015;68(4):662-67. doi: 10.1590/0034-7167.2015680413i
https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167.201568...
).

However, the theme of sexuality has been veiled over time, resulting in often distorted conceptions. It is related to erroneous subjectivities that generate popular myths, rumors and beliefs, promoting sexual taboos arising from ideas that generate social discrimination. Thus, sexuality has broad and complex conceptual dimensions and can be described in different ways, depending on beliefs and prejudices(33 Figueiroa MN, Menezes MLN, Monteiro EMLM, Andrade ARL, Fraga DPF, Oliveira MV. Nursing students’ perception of training on human sexuality. Rev Enf Ref. 2017;4(15):21-30. doi: 10.12707/RIV17044
https://doi.org/10.12707/RIV17044...
).

It is important to emphasize that the human being is marked by desires, eroticism and feelings of love, presenting the peculiarity of seeking a way to supply their emotional and affective needs(44 Souza CJ, Denari FE, Costa MPR. O discurso das pessoas com deficiência física sobre a própria sexualidade. Rev Ibero-Am Estud Educ. 2017;12(4):2177-92. doi:10.21723/riaee.v12.n4.out./dez.2017.9123
https://doi.org/10.21723/riaee.v12.n4.ou...
). However, when it comes to the sexuality of individuals in psychological distress, in addition to being marginalized from their social context and marked by stigma, they are seen as asexual, devoid of love desire and incapable of concrete affective life, undervalued the potentialities of affective relationships(55 Ziliotto GC, Marcolan JF. Representações sociais da enfermagem: a sexualidade de portadores de transtornos mentais. Rev Min Enferm. 2014;18(4):973-78. doi:10.5935/1415-2762.20140071
https://doi.org/10.5935/1415-2762.201400...
).

There is a lack of information about the sexuality of individuals in psychological distress, making them hostage to the prejudiced image that society gives them so much.

It is believed that this research, by addressing human sexuality from the perspective of people assisted in a mental health care service, brings to light new data on this theme. It is in the context of nursing care that many users will bring, explicitly or not, their doubts, their myths and fears related to sexuality. However, it is observed that professionals are not always able to investigate complaints related to sexuality and to provide information, showing unpreparedness and lack of knowledge(33 Figueiroa MN, Menezes MLN, Monteiro EMLM, Andrade ARL, Fraga DPF, Oliveira MV. Nursing students’ perception of training on human sexuality. Rev Enf Ref. 2017;4(15):21-30. doi: 10.12707/RIV17044
https://doi.org/10.12707/RIV17044...
).

This paper aims to understand the perception of sexuality from the perspective of individuals in psychological distress in order to bring knowledge about the theme, reflect the myths, taboos and prejudices involved, allowing to propose actions that contribute to appropriate intervention.

OBJECTIVES

To understand the conceptions of individuals in psychological distress about their sexuality.

METHODS

Type of study

This is a qualitative, descriptive study with a theoretical and methodological approach to Bardin Content Analysis(66 Bardin L. Análise de conteúdo. São Paulo: Edições 70; 2018.).

Study setting

This study carried was out at a Psychosocial Care Center (CAPS (Centro de Atenção Psicossocial) III - Adult) based in the central region of São Bernardo do Campo, in the metropolitan region of São Paulo.

This municipality is divided into 8 territories or program areas, being CAPS III - Adult responsible for the care of 3 territories and their respective neighborhoods, configuring the Mental Health equipment with greater care coverage and local reference.

Data source

The study participants were a total of 15 people assisted at the mental health service, of both sexes. They were selected from the indication of the reference teams, with the inclusion criteria: adults in the age range of 20 years complete to 50 years incomplete, with cognitive ability to respond; a minimum of 6 months in CAPS and a maximum of 2 years of continuous stay; treated in non-intensive and semi-intensive treatment.

Ethical aspects

The study followed the legislation on human research. It was submitted for authorization for data collection in the Continuing Education Division and the Brazilian Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde) Support Management Department, both of the Municipal Health Office of the city of São Bernardo do Campo, state of São Paulo. After authorization granted, it was forwarded to the Research Ethics Committee of Universidade Federal de São Paulo, which was approved by opinion number CAAE (Certificado de Apresentação para Apreciação Ética - Certificate of Presentation for Ethical Consideration) 22144313.1.0000.5505.

Data collection

Data were collected between February and May 2014, through an individual interview composed by questions such as CAPS activity time, service activities, diagnosis, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, marital status and also for four guiding questions: How do you understand human sexuality? How do you perceive your sexuality as having a mental disorder? How do you perceive the coping with the sexuality of individuals with mental disorders by the team that works in this institution? Does the institution in which you are being treated have any norms or rules of approach to sexuality? Which one? What is your opinion?

The interviews were scheduled and held in a private room at the service itself. The average duration of the interview was 50 minutes, all recorded on digital media and fully transcribed. To preserve their identity, we chose the codename for the deponent, followed by Arabic numbering, according to the order in which the interviews occurred.

Data analysis

Data were organized and analyzed by Content Analysis according to pre-analysis; material exploration; and treatment of the results obtained, inference and interpretation(66 Bardin L. Análise de conteúdo. São Paulo: Edições 70; 2018.), giving rise to five categories: Prejudice of assisted people regarding homosexuality; Prejudice of assisted people regarding the expression of sexuality and the social context; Prejudice to the affective relationship among people assisted in CAPS; Prejudice of people assisted in the expression of female sexuality; Prejudice of society to the sexual orientation of assisted people.

RESULTS

Of the 15 individuals who participated in the study, seven were male and eight female, aged between 20 and 50 years. Diagnoses ranged from bipolar affective disorder, paranoid schizophrenic disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and unspecified nonorganic psychosis.

Regarding sexual orientation, one participant reported being bisexual, ten heterosexual and four homosexual. Most claimed to have evangelical religion, but were also reported to spiritualist and Catholic. One deponent reported not having religion. Regarding marital status, most reported being single, married and widowed. The following categories were developed.

Prejudice of assisted people regarding homosexuality

It is noteworthy in this category that homosexuality was thematic crossed by prejudice and discrimination.

Through the speech of the subjects, one can see the presence of a hegemonic idea inserted in the social imaginary, that human sexuality must be heterosexual and accepting the opposite can mean meeting something considered unnatural.

Because I have a cousin who is a dyke. She does it. She said she tasted a man and didn’t like it, when she hooked up with a woman, she just wanted that woman ... it’s not prejudice, but it’s a sin. ... because woman with woman can’t ... Man stays with man and woman stays with woman, but I don’t have this prejudice. But I know it’s a sin ... I tried to untap a little bump ... to become a man. I tried to turn them both around, but there was no way at all. (Deponent 6)

I have prejudice with lesbian, I cannot accept lesbianism ... I accept that gay people have sex among them and lesbians among them, but I do not want for me, I feel that I have barriers, I am cold, regarding this type of gay relationship ... alright, with them ... I just can’t accept for myself a gay, having sex with me or a lesbian, having sex with me, I have prejudice with me... (Deponent 10)

Reports of deponents who reported having homosexual and bisexual orientation and considered the expression of homosexuality and transvestism inappropriate stand out:

... it’s not because you’re living with a dyke that can go out kissing in the street, having sex in the street. I think it’s totally wrong. You can do it, but it has to be more private, at home, at the right place and at the right time .... there are a lot of parents ... they are resigned to their children’s early sexuality ... it’s society in general. (Deponent 2)

I have no prejudice. Nowadays this is normal. I don’t think that’s right, but ... I think it’s their option. I think they were born with it already. But ... I think the man was made for woman, I don’t see myself walking hand in hand with another man. I wouldn’t think it right ... I don’t say shameless. How would a child react if I saw another man holding hands, kissing in a square? ... if you want to be with a person of the same sex, stay in a good place, go to your house, go to a motel, but in a square, in a public place, it wouldn’t be nice. (Deponent 7)

Individuals who considered themselves homosexual and bisexual felt prejudice that they condemned so much because they suffered when they were viewed with inferiority. Their impressions of themselves, coupled with prevailing prejudice, devalue themselves, denying themselves and running away from themselves, sometimes attacking another homosexual to try to distance themselves from their own desire.

Prejudice of assisted people regarding the expression of sexuality and the social context

The subjects reported the presence of prejudice regarding the most diverse forms of expression of sexuality, such as manifestations of affection and caring, sexual relationships performed before marriage, virginity loss, unwanted pregnancy, casual sexual intercourse and age differences between partners were identified as inappropriate.

... as I was raised, back then ... I couldn’t. But today we see a lot going on, the girl pregnant before being married. ... see the new girls, will get lost ... with some guys that is not worth it, who ends up getting pregnant and are suffering a lot... but there are people who do not care, go there do wrong, do not see or will get pregnant, will get some sex disease, do not care. It’s all shameless indeed. Nobody respects anyone else. (Deponent 4)

Because young people nowadays like it ... most of them like having sex unmarried, maintaining a relationship, maintaining this, that... they don’t have intelligence, a sense of how they work.... I think there are times when it ends up ruining the relationship in adolescence, without being married, ends up ruining it, when home, loses the fun ... I find it very shameless... (Deponent 13)

Prejudice to the affective relationship among people assisted in CAPS

It is possible to verify through the speeches of the deponents the presence of prejudice that spreads in human relations, taking different forms and turning against their own peers, in order to crush any intention of affective ties that may be established between them.

User? I am out, nor do I want user. No, because I want to get a better person than me, not the one with a worse head than mine, everything will be just that problematic. Mixed up. I’m out ... no, I wouldn’t date. No, even if it was beautiful. ... if I have a bad head ... I have to get a person who has a good head to help... (Deponent 6)

... I met a girl here, I thought she was just normal ... I saw her in crisis. Good thing I didn’t relate, I was even scared. This girl may take a knife and may want to kill someone. In case the person relates here, with the same person here, I think sometimes it would not do well, because if one gets into crisis, how does this person who is not well will help her?... if I stay with a person in crisis and ... leave that person, if that person revolts and commits suicide, how would I be, how would that person’s family be? I don’t think that would be cool. (Deponent 7)

Prejudice of people assisted in the expression of female sexuality

In the speeches there is prejudice against the expression of female sexuality, because it runs away from the idealization rule of the culturally constructed woman figure. Sexist ideas to female sensuality, misconception of frigidity and obligation of sexual intercourse in marriage were reports.

In the reports of the deponents there is the conception that sexual intercourse is an organic necessity for men and an obligation for women. This conception is seen as a norm created to be naturally accepted by women.

If there at the moment, if the woman really wants to have sex, go and have sex, and that is it. If the guy wants to come, is easy... because my dad explained to me. My father talks a lot about this to me ... he says that man has more desire for woman than woman for man. (Deponent 5)

I complained to my mother, I said if my father was married and looking outside, it’s because you didn’t give in to him, it’s not that my father was bad, you didn’t give in, he went out with others... (Deponent 11)

Prejudice of society to the sexual orientation of assisted persons

Respondents described that sexuality and sexual orientation were targets of discrimination and prejudice, especially when relating these traits as belonging to minorities expressing their homosexual orientation. There was intolerance and violence against those conceived as strangers, different, who do not conform to the norms.

... they’ve accused me of being a dyke, here comes the dyke, look at a dyke kissing. And she said nothing, kept quiet. ... I felt a little, ashamed, with people looking at us. Looks like they’re seeing a ghost. Swearing at us is very hard. (Deponent 2)

A person who told me: “I can’t believe you like it on the other side” .... there was a person who commented to me, it was an old lady. She was a little disappointed because she thought I liked men. ... because they usually swear at us a lot of ugly names, bad words. We get very embarrassed because people start looking at us to see what is happening .... there is the issue of prejudice ... people have difficulty seeing my sexuality... (Deponent 3)

Religion appears in a hegemonic perspective and contemplated the notion of heterosexuality as a correct manifestation of sexuality, reinforced by the idea of procreation, representing very little the creative psyche of the human being, because one does not simply live on basic biological impulses.

God forgave everybody ... when I told my mother that ... I thought ... I was gay, that ... I was bisexual ... I said I was gay at the time ... she just took me to the Universal Church. I’m not against any church, always... I was evangelical, but she took me to the Universal Church, they said ... there was a devil in my head. They shook my head, took me forward, made fun of me, laughed at me, it’s a lot of trauma to my head, really. A person comes to you and says everything you gave me was picky... (Deponent 7)

And we were not raised in this drinking, sex and smoking environment. Not even fag, I don’t like it. It’s wrong because in the church they said it is not right that God did not create the world for it, but for man and woman. (Deponent 8)

DISCUSSION

Ideas that reject homosexuality have been realized, and people who do not exclusively share heteronormativity are destined for less human, unnatural, or abnormal status. The nature of sexual identity is seen as a sexual choice or preference that offends morals and morals(77 Silva RA, Silva M. Incluir excluindo ou excluir incluindo: escola destinada ao público gay e o processo (tentativa) de inclusão social. Rev EDUCA[Internet]. 2016 [cited 2017 Sep 10];3(5):26 - 43. Available from: http://www.periodicos.unir.br/index.php/EDUCA/article/view/1599/1575
http://www.periodicos.unir.br/index.php/...
).

Thus, as regards prejudice against homosexuality, the data in the first category are similar to those of research conducted with university students. Results show that students reveal moderately negative attitudes towards both lesbian and gay men, suggesting subtle prejudice against this group(88 Alves RF. Atitudes dos/as estudantes universitários/as face à homossexualidade: tradução e validação de uma escala de medida. Educar Rev. 2018;34(71):191-204. doi:10.1590/0104-4060.58396.
https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-4060.58396...
).

Stereotypes that homosexuals are inferior human beings or have moral defects are maintained in society. However, the homosexual individual often does not passively accept society’s negative views about his or her sexuality, making these images so widespread that it is difficult to stop internalizing them to some degree. Homosexuals who internalize these beliefs may feel inferior to heterosexuals, and even homosexuals, unable to achieve goals that contradict prejudice(99 Numan A. Preconceito internalizado e comportamento sexual de risco em homossexuais masculinos. Psicol Argum[Internet]. 2017 [cited 2014 Oct 23];28(62):247-59. Available from: https://periodicos.pucpr.br/index.php/psicologiaargumento/article/view/19941/19237
https://periodicos.pucpr.br/index.php/ps...
).

In this sense, the internalized sexual prejudice experienced by the deponents can be defined as the acceptance by homosexual individuals of the negative attitudes conveyed by society towards homosexuality. This acceptance would result in negative feelings about the self. In other words, the subject comes to believe that the self is inherently bad, worthless, or repulsive, and that much of his personal problems stem from this(99 Numan A. Preconceito internalizado e comportamento sexual de risco em homossexuais masculinos. Psicol Argum[Internet]. 2017 [cited 2014 Oct 23];28(62):247-59. Available from: https://periodicos.pucpr.br/index.php/psicologiaargumento/article/view/19941/19237
https://periodicos.pucpr.br/index.php/ps...
).

Regarding internalized prejudice or internalized homophobia, as it is also called, reports of deponents who reported having homosexual and bisexual orientation and considered the expression of homosexuality and transvestism inappropriate.

The prejudice internalized by the deponents makes it difficult to develop relationships of affection and friendship. Once ashamed and humiliated by their social conditions and the discrimination they suffer, individuals bring prejudice into their hearts and reproduce it among their peers. It can be said that when the stereotype is too strong or pernicious, subjects tend to accept it and incorporate it into their self-image, causing negative feelings about their own sexual orientation to be generalized to the self as a whole. Often unknowingly, they assume as their own the perversities that are spread by the prejudiced ideas to which they are targeted(1010 Reis A, Oliveira-Menegotto LMO. A descoberta da homosexualidade feminina na adolescência: notas sobre a aceitação e o preconceito escolar [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2018 Jul 16];7(3):107-18. Available from: http://periodicos.ufpb.br/ojs2/index.php/ged/index
http://periodicos.ufpb.br/ojs2/index.php...
).

In a society where homosexual and even bisexual people are seen at least inferiorly, individuals in psychological distress with bisexual or homosexual orientation feel what they are condemned by other people. Their impressions of themselves, coupled with prevailing prejudice, devalue themselves, causing them to deny themselves as people and run away from themselves, often feeling aversion and attacking another homosexual to try to distance themselves from their desire(1111 Costa AB, Nardi HC. Homophobia and prejudice against sexual diversity: conceptual debate. Temas psicol. 2015;23(3):715-26. doi: 10.9788/TP2015.3-15
https://doi.org/10.9788/TP2015.3-15...
).

Related to internalized prejudice, we perceive the denial of the possibility of developing affective and sexual relationship when dealing with individuals in psychological distress, related to the universal image of being affected by aggressive behavior, with poor appearance and hygiene, which in turn influence in the expression of sexuality.

From this initial perception, the presence of individuals’ prejudice regarding various forms of expression of sexuality, such as simple manifestations of affection and caring, sexual intercourse before marriage, loss of virginity, early pregnancy, casual sex, and attention, draws attention. age differences between partners, seen as inappropriate.

This is because, as we see today, for many centuries, sexuality has been considered as the expression of “low instincts, indecency and boldness” that should be fought, subdued and controlled. Religious morality regards it as a “necessary evil” because it is intended for the procreation of the species. In this way, fantasies and sexual acts are considered sinful, sources of guilt and guarantee of punishment(1212 Coutinho RZ, Ribeiro PM. Religion, religiosity and sexual initiation during adolescence: lessons from a systematic literature review of a half-century of research. Rev Bras Estud Popul. 2014;31(2):333-65. doi: 10.1590/S0102-30982014000200006
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-3098201400...
).

Religious morality influenced conceptions regarding the manifestation of sexuality. Thus, premarital sexual intercourse, casual sex without a steady partner and unwanted pregnancy are experiences that follow against the moral principles established by certain religions. Religious morality influenced conceptions regarding the manifestation of sexuality. Thus, premarital sexual intercourse, casual sex without a steady partner and unwanted pregnancy are experiences that follow against the moral principles established by certain religions. Rigid religious doctrines create expectation of equally restrictive attitudes toward premarital and casual sex(1212 Coutinho RZ, Ribeiro PM. Religion, religiosity and sexual initiation during adolescence: lessons from a systematic literature review of a half-century of research. Rev Bras Estud Popul. 2014;31(2):333-65. doi: 10.1590/S0102-30982014000200006
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-3098201400...
).

In this sense, female sexuality has been understood for many centuries to be non-existent, since women and their sexuality were seen only as linked to the reproductive function. Although this theme is conquering space in society and has been presenting itself as something that should be exposed and dialogued, it is also clear that addressing these issues still yields taboos, myths and prejudices, making many women unable to talk about it. This phenomenon consequently restricts women with regard to the exploitation and appreciation of their desires(1313 Oliveira EL, Rezende JM, Gonçalves JP. História da sexualidade feminina no Brasil: entre tabus, mitos e verdades. Rev Ártemis[Internet]. 2018 [cited 2014 Oct 20];26(1):303-14 Available from: http://www.periodicos.ufpb.br/index.php/artemis/article/view/37320/21729
http://www.periodicos.ufpb.br/index.php/...
).

Concerning prejudice against female sexuality, the myth of passivity and female frigidity emerged from the narratives, being the man who has more libido compared to the woman. This statement is linked to a rigid and repressive sexual formation. This formation prevents women from taking the initiative in the sexual act or in the ritual of sensuality, reinforcing the idea that it is up to the men to take initiatives, otherwise the woman is seen as immoral(1313 Oliveira EL, Rezende JM, Gonçalves JP. História da sexualidade feminina no Brasil: entre tabus, mitos e verdades. Rev Ártemis[Internet]. 2018 [cited 2014 Oct 20];26(1):303-14 Available from: http://www.periodicos.ufpb.br/index.php/artemis/article/view/37320/21729
http://www.periodicos.ufpb.br/index.php/...
). This data makes us reflect on the behavior and thoughts that are permeated by the symbolism that delimits that allowed by the dominant (male) and the dominated (female)(1414 Lopes FM, Dias FCT. Corporalidade e representação social da mulher contemporânea. Rev Bras Ciênc Vida[Internet]. 2018 [cited 2019 May 05];6(2):1-17. Available from: http://jornal.faculdadecienciasdavida.com.br/index.php/RBCV/article/view/554
http://jornal.faculdadecienciasdavida.co...
).

As our study presents a majority of female deponents, the idea that female sexuality is something that still bothers some women is noteworthy. As if wondering how to act, marry a virgin or lose her virginity, take the initiative in dating or wait for a man’s attitude, have casual sex or wait longer. Despite all the female achievements over time, women still worry about how society will react to their behavior and expression of sexuality(1414 Lopes FM, Dias FCT. Corporalidade e representação social da mulher contemporânea. Rev Bras Ciênc Vida[Internet]. 2018 [cited 2019 May 05];6(2):1-17. Available from: http://jornal.faculdadecienciasdavida.com.br/index.php/RBCV/article/view/554
http://jornal.faculdadecienciasdavida.co...
).

Although women have gained autonomy, there is still some fear about female sexuality to pursue blameless satisfaction. Social, religious and cultural aspects continue to mediate this relationship, causing blockages for satisfactory performance without guilt or obligation(1313 Oliveira EL, Rezende JM, Gonçalves JP. História da sexualidade feminina no Brasil: entre tabus, mitos e verdades. Rev Ártemis[Internet]. 2018 [cited 2014 Oct 20];26(1):303-14 Available from: http://www.periodicos.ufpb.br/index.php/artemis/article/view/37320/21729
http://www.periodicos.ufpb.br/index.php/...
).

It has been found that there is a taboo in society about a woman’s love life, where she has to be faithful, even though she has no fidelity of the man in the relationship, she has to be submissive to this partner. They are treated as an object of satisfaction, disposable and determined by the market. With this, sexual intercourse became just an act of easy access to male pleasure.

Sexual intercourse, for some individuals, is seen as a commitment to marriage, so only in this context is it allowed. There is a conception that sexual intercourse is an organic and natural necessity for men and an obligation for women. This conception is verified as a norm and myth created by men to be naturally accepted by women, making the figure of man distinct from women(1515 Leite JF, Dimenstein M, Paiva RCL, Amorim AKMA, França A. Health senses a gender perspective: a study of men in the city of Natal/RN. Psicol Cienc Prof. 2016;36(2):341-53. doi: 10.1590/1982-3703001812013
https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-37030018120...
).

In this sense, male infidelity is justified, especially when it is assumed that if a woman is frigid and a man in need of sexual intercourse, he should be sexually attended anyway.

On the other hand, lesbianism is seen as sexual orientation that gives men pleasure, strengthens the male fetish by sex with two women and reinforces their masculinity(1616 Mezzar IDCS, Lemos SL. Do amor entre mulheres: narrativas de amores e lesbianidades. Rev Peri. 2017;7(1):192-214. doi: 10.9771/peri.v1i7.21379
https://doi.org/10.9771/peri.v1i7.21379...
).

In sexual orientation, in addition to all prejudice against homosexual persons, while male homosexuality is rejected and synonymous with fragile masculinity, female homosexuality is seen as a sexual fetish for men, reducing them to objects of desire(1717 Santos M, Tortato CSB. Ciências Biológicas: mais mulheres, menos preconceito? Cad Gên Tecnol. [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2019 May 05];11(37):40-59. Available from: https://periodicos.utfpr.edu.br/cgt/article/view/8243
https://periodicos.utfpr.edu.br/cgt/arti...
).

It is observed in this study that the individual identified as homosexual can hardly protect their sexual privacy in the public space simply by being systematically challenged in the name of their erotic preference.

There is the presence of violence, intolerance and cruelty against those conceived as strange, different, which do not conform to the norms established by the white, heterosexual, bourgeois, capitalist, individualist and narcissistic majority, when we come to discriminate individuals for their physical, anatomical, genetic, social, identity or sexual particularities or singularities(1818 Carmo JA, Cunha AG. Lima ED, Galvão LKS. As experiências de vida e os desafios de homossexuais brasileiros: uma revisão sistemática. Psicol Saúde Debate. 2017;3(1):141-57. doi: 10.22289/2446-922X.V3N1A10.
https://doi.org/10.22289/2446-922X.V3N1A...
).

This highlights the rigidity that society judges and preaches as acceptable forms of heterosexuality. The conditions for being a typical man or woman are very harsh and rare are the cases in which this occurs naturally. Men and women often find themselves pursuing this ideally imposed model that disrespects the very spontaneity and beauty of human sexuality.

Study limitations

The study has limitations because it was conducted in a single unit with a population restricted to a few assisted individuals. Sexuality manifestation was linked to rigid institutional rules that were not appropriate to the contemporary changing paradigm of psychiatric care regarding sexuality and the so-called Brazilian Psychiatric Reform.

Contributions to nursing

The results presented here are important for nursing, in the sense that those of individuals affected by psychic suffering presented a pulverized view of human sexuality, manifesting prejudice according to their own framework built from real experiences experienced throughout life. Although sexuality was present in the daily routine of care, it is clear that it was surrounded by taboos, prejudices and value judgments.

The theme of human sexuality, which is established historically and culturally, could take on a new shape with reflections on theoretical foundations that consider the subjective dimension of caring, care, body, sexuality and the subject, fundamental to circumvent myths, taboos and prejudices that make it impossible to express human sexuality.

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

Understanding the manifestation of the sexuality of individuals in psychological distress attended at a CAPS III - Adult evidenced that they were conceptions that maintained as main axis the notion of prejudice and stigma that society has in relation to homosexuality. This understanding is maintained in accordance with established social norms.

The influence of social and individual rigidity on the acceptance of sexuality or the diversity of sexual orientations can make it difficult to accept one’s identity and self-esteem. We verified that this fact configures a possible picture of internalized homophobia, which can lead to feelings of guilt and shame in front of the manifestation of one’s sexual orientation.

Expressions of affection and caring, premarital sexual relationships, loss of virginity, and casual sexual intercourse have been identified as inappropriate and targets of individual prejudice towards the forms of expression of sexuality that are commonplace in our society. Although sexuality was present in the daily lives of assisted people, it is clear that it was surrounded by taboos, myths and value judgments, in which the only way to deal with it was through repression.

Sexuality needs to be approached as a phenomenon inherent to every human being, inscribed in spaces that generate discussions and reflections. The sexuality of users and all professionals should be considered, especially those of nursing, as they also manifest sexuality in care.

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Edited by

EDITOR IN CHIEF: Antonio José de Almeida Filho
ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Prsicilla Valladares Broca

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    30 Mar 2020
  • Date of issue
    2020

History

  • Received
    24 Mar 2019
  • Accepted
    27 Apr 2019
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