A relação entre envolvimento ocupacional e percepção de saúde: uma investigação temática com crianças

Abstract

Introduction: The participation in occupations is essential for the development of competences and abilities proper of childhood, since it contributes to the constitution of the humanization of the subjects. This work is based on studies about occupation from a critical perspective, approaching the concept of Occupational Involvement, about what people do in their environments, which may be related to individuals' perceptions of health in their daily lives. Objective: To understand the occupational involvement and health perceptions of children, identifying relationships established by them between occupational involvement and health. Method: Qualitative study with methodological contribution inspired by the Thematic Investigation proposed by Freire, conducted with children aged 08 to 11 years in a Non-Governmental Organization in the city of João Pessoa, PB. The data were collected through focus groups and participant observation. The meetings were recorded, transcribed and analyzed from the spiral analysis proposed by Creswell. Results: The results evidenced that the main occupations that children engage in in their reality are inherent to their age group, with the exception of some that symbolize adultization. The perceptions of health related to healthy eating and the practice of physical activity, and little relationship between the occupations and the benefits / harms that can affect health Conclusion: Point out the importance of considering the perceptions of children in their life context, as a way to encourage them to an educational and transformative experience of their reality and reaffirms to consider the Child Protagonism as an effective strategy in this process.