ATENÇÃO EM SAÚDE AO ADOLESCENTE COM O COMPORTAMENTO DE AUTOLESÃO, E SUA FAMÍLIA, NA REDE DE ATENÇÃO PSICOSSOCIAL: PERSPECTIVA DE ADOLESCENTES, FAMILIARES E PROFISSIONAIS

Abstract

The mental health of adolescents is a national and international concern, since the changes that occur during this phase can cause psychological distress. In this context, non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) can be an inadequate strategy for relieving distress in this population. This health condition impacts both the individual's life and that of their family, who face different feelings such as fear, shame, and uncertainty. Access to health services and comprehensive care for adolescents and their families are important, however, there are gaps identified both in these individuals' access to health services and in comprehensive care. Thus, this study aims to understand how health care is provided within the Psychosocial Care Network to adolescents with self-harming behavior and their families, from the perspective of adolescents, family members, and health professionals. To this end, a qualitative study was conducted, based on the theoretical framework of Kleinman's Explanatory Model of Illness. The participants were adolescents with ALNS behavior, their families, and professionals from services belonging to the RAPS in a capital city in the Midwest region of Brazil. Data collection took place between May and July 2025, through in-depth interviews with the interest groups, using an initial semi-structured script with guiding questions based on the theoretical framework. The average duration of the interviews ranged from ten to forty minutes, and they were audio-recorded. Data collection began with contact with the fields chosen to present the research proposal and, after acceptance, it was requested that it be disclosed to adolescents and their families through an invitation written in the form of an open letter with information about the research. Afterwards, an interview was scheduled with those participants who accepted and qualified for the research. For data analysis, thematic content analysis was used, following three established stages: pre-analysis, exploration of the material, and treatment of the results. The results were organized based on the thematic content analysis, giving rise to the central theme “Self-harm in adolescence: experiences, family relationships, and care within the Psychosocial Care Network (RAPS),” where the main findings showed that self-harm in adolescents affects not only the relationship between parents and children, but on the entire family dynamic, reinforcing the importance of including the family in therapeutic care. It also revealed that, although CAPSi is recognized as a welcoming space, assistance is still fragmented, marked by a shortage of professionals, insufficient training, and weaknesses in the coordination of RAPS. In addition, it highlighted the school as a strategic space for early detection and referral of cases. The results of this study provided a comprehensive understanding of the experience of adolescents who self-harm and their families, revealing profound emotional impacts that extend beyond the parent-child relationship to also affect marital and family dynamics.