Social representations of users with alcohol problems about spirituality

repercussions on nursing care*

Authors

Keywords:

Nursing, Psychology, Social, Religion, Motivation, Alcoholism

Abstract

Objective: To understand the social representations of users with mental health needs resulting from alcohol use regarding spirituality and their implications for the implementation of nursing care.

Method: A descriptive-qualitative study conducted from May to December 2024, grounded in the theory of Social Representations. The data, collected through Free Association and semi-structured interviews, were subjected to Thematic Analysis.

Results: Representations regarding alcoholism, abstinence, and spirituality were revealed. Alcoholism, initially perceived as a pleasure, turns into a nightmare. Abstinence emerged as the challenging act of rejecting drugs, marked by mental struggle and relapses. Spirituality represented faith in God to overcome addiction, serving as a refuge and crucial support for recovery.

Final Considerations: The ambivalence of alcoholism, the challenge of abstinence, and faith are highlighted as essential. These insights inform nursing practice in the Amazon by guiding comprehensive, culturally sensitive care that strengthens the bond with patients and improves their treatment adherence.

Author Biographies

Wellington Edgar de Lacerda Hatherly, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil.

Nurse, Master's Degree in Nursing, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil.

Sílvio Éder Dias da Silva, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil.

Nurse. Post-doctoral degree in Nursing, Professor at the Faculty of Nursing, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil.

Diego Pereira Rodrigues, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Nurse. PhD in Nursing, Professor at the Federal Fluminense University, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Márcia Aparecida Ferreira de Oliveira, Universidade de São Paulo

Nurse. Lecturer at the School of Nursing, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Arielle Lima Santos, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil.

Nurse. Master's degree in Nursing. Postgraduate Program in Nursing, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil.

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Published

2026-07-23

How to Cite

Hatherly, W. E. de L., da Silva, S. Éder D., Rodrigues, D. P., de Oliveira, M. A. F., & Santos, A. L. (2026). Social representations of users with alcohol problems about spirituality: repercussions on nursing care*. Cogitare Enfermagem, 31. Retrieved from https://revistas.ufpr.br/cogitare/article/view/100573

Issue

Vol. 31 (2026)

Section

Original Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Wellington Edgar de Lacerda Hatherly, Sílvio Éder Dias da Silva, Diego Pereira Rodrigues, Márcia Aparecida Ferreira de Oliveira, Arielle Lima Santos

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