Conflitos interpessoais de idosas em uma instituição de longa permanência: estudo etnográfico

Abstract

Interpersonal conflicts are inherent to human beings and are present non-daily and in the relationships of elderly people in long-term care facilities. Regardless of the quality of services provided locally, the effects of institutionalization and its structuring impact on the socialization of the elderly, which enhances the occurrence of interpersonal conflicts. This study aimed to understand the physical space, such as institutional routines, social interactions and the production of interpersonal conflicts from the perspective of elderly women in a long-term care facilities. This is an ethnographic study, whose immersion in the field took place from August 2017 to May 2018 in a long-term care facilities located in a city in the central region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. It was used as data production technique, participant observation and field diary. The study included 17 institutionalized elderly women. The data were analyzed from a sociocultural perspective, with some theoretical tools related to total institutions described by Goffman. The investigation was approved by the Research Ethics Committee, under CAAE 70574517.6.0000.5346. The results showed that in the institutional daily life, the collective factor stands out from the individual. The individual spaces were limited to the dormitory and a preferred place that, when overcome, were motivations for conflicts. The collectivization of hygiene products, underwear, utensils and clothing was imposed by the institution's nursing professionals. The conflict was seen, by the institution, as an insubordination of the elderly, however, the data of this research show that it occurred as a form of resistance of the elderly in maintaining their individuality; in a context of constant “mortification of the self”. Social networks, whether in internal or external social relations, allowed movements of freedom through the strengthening of support and protection bonds and access to belongings of their choice. Some conflicts were preceded by family conflicts or increased in situations of mental disorder. The socialization of the elderly was marked by dominant relationships by hierarchies related to institutional and professional authorities. The elderly women experienced a constant process of subjection to infantilization and standardization that disregarded their preferences and individualities. The intrigues among the elderly and the entry of new residents predisposed to situations of conflict based on judgments. The results obtained pointed to the thesis that interpersonal conflicts in the long-term care facilities are driven by a context of norms and standardized routines that physically, socially and emotionally restrict the lives of institutionalized elderly women. In response to the constant “mutilations of the self”, the elderly resorted to conflicts as a movement of freedom and potential for change, to ensure individuality, autonomy - essential choices for themselves. Despite being under the same routines and rules, differences related to economic and social conditions, dependence and individual personality intensify the movements of conflict. This study presents reflections relevant to scientific knowledge in nursing, revealing the potential of ethnographic research to understand the multiplicity of factors that involve assistance to the elderly considering the socio-cultural context in which it is inserted.