A formação e o fortalecimento do vínculo emocional entre os adolescentes participantes de oficinas e a prevenção da violência: uma investigação a partir do Projeto Frutos do Morro

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine whether and how group activities contribute to the formation and strengthening of emotional bonds, and if they propitiate changes on the teenagers behavior towards violence. Sigmund Freuds Group Psychology and the Analysis of the Ego (1921) theoretically argued and mediated all discussions, providing subsidies for understanding the phenomenon of identification and its relation to the formation and strengthening of emotional bonds between group members. This study subjects were adolescents living on the Morro das Pedras cluster and on the Providência district who attended the workshops on health promotion and violence prevention of the Frutos do Morro Project. This project is linked to the Núcleo de promoção da saúde e paz [Center for health and peace promotion] Faculdade de Medicina UFMG [UFMG Medical School]. This study used data collection qualitative methods, such as semi-structured interviews, group focus and participant observation. For four months the researcher had followed and observed activities carried out in three workshops: two which developed reflective activities and a third with reflective activities associated to sports. The results shows that all the workshops observed contribute to the formation and strengthening of emotional bonds between participants. In the teenagers reports it was possible to see how theyhave sought to resolve conflicts without requiring the usage of force or aggression through words. An important fact mentioned by the teenagers refers to what is produced and developed in the workshops, and which is subsequently transmitted by them in other acquaintanceship areas. Thuswe can conclude that the workshops can be another resource to violence approaching; however it is essential to monitor its achievements on adolescents lives.