Resumo

GOMEZ MARTINEZ, Angélica et al. Socio-cultural representations about menopause: Experiences of the process in resident women in Albacete, Spain. Index Enferm [online]. 2008, vol.17, n.3, pp.159-163. ISSN 1699-5988.

Objective: Approach to the social representations constituent of a biological-biographical phenomenon denominated climacteric, by means of the meanings attributed through socio-cultural knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of the woman in this period of their life. Methodology: Qualitative study by means of seven focal groups (37 women). Population of study: women between 45-55 years, residents in the city of Albacete. Results: Process identified with the biological age of the women, with negative attributes by its relation with the ageing. It is also related to the social image of the woman and the socio-cultural roles assigned classically to this group. This combination of factors leads them towards a period of their life labelled like "critical age", construction in which biographical elements prioritizes on biological. Conclusion: To recognize the "Variability" of the experience of the process. This would come into conflict with the present biomedical trend, of drawing up certain stages related to the vital cycle of people, trying to generate unitary ascriptions based on medical entities constructed with operative and instrumental aims. To recognize the "Vulnerability" that supposes the confluence between diverse circumstances, which lead them, not only to face physical, emotional and socio-cultural changes, peculiar of this stage, but to the accomplishment of a critical and deep retrospective evaluation of the life experience, of the autobiography.

Palavras-chave : menopause; climacteric; women’s health; social representation; qualitative; focus group.