Cyberspace: a locus for social interaction in the experience of bereavement

• Grant number: 12/20707-9
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: January 01, 2013
• End date: January 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nursing
• Principal Investigator: Regina Szylit
• Grantee: Regina Szylit
• Host Institution: Escola de Enfermagem (EE). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This project involves the new information and communication technologies (NICTS) on the internet. The project aims to establish the interface between the mourning, the use of social networks and the construction of meaning in young adult. Modern society is little continent to the expression of emotions and grief in public. Social networks are virtual spaces that can be accessed at any time and place, allows grieving people, social interaction and connection whenever desired. In this way, the virtual space can be set up as a resource for this demonstration. This study of qualitative approach is composed of four subprojects and will be developed with multiple methods: ethnography and Grounded Theory in data. Study participants are users of the social network "Facebook". The criteria for inclusion are: young adults between 20 and 40 years, Brazilians, with registration of posts and images on virtual network specific related to a loss of a loved one be part of virtual cluster e, or friends of the deceased or of the person who makes records about the loss. The data are collected by means of selection of related records, observation and interviews. Data analysis will be conducted independently for each subproject, by following the procedures of the approaches adopted: Content Analysis (subprojects I, II and III) and Reasoned Theory in data (subproject IV). This study can contribute to the instrumentalization of grieving people with professional, as well as of the community, which is also an important source of support to those who have lost loved ones, from understanding the experience of grief and, more specifically, the role of meanings attributed to a death of a loved one. In addition, this work are intakes of added value for a mourner unto itself, which from the use of new information and communication technologies on the internet you can better understand yourself and to feel more supported and with resources to deal with the situation. (AU)