[Perception of emotional violence in school adolescents: differences in the narrative by gender].

OBJECTIVE

to describe the perception of emotional violence (EV) in adolescent students and to analyze differences by gender.

METHODS

ninety-seven adolescents from a secondary school were included. Data was obtained from audio-recorded interviews on separate focal groups strategy in men and women in which an incomplete projective case-history was used for evoking arguments.

RESULTS

a difference was found in the perception of the EV according to gender; the women included the family and masculine figures in the EV context. Men also included the social environment. The motives for EV in the women were attributed to deficient communication, addictions and power relationships with men. A high tolerance for EV was observed in women and a strong internal confrontation. Men showed less tolerance and lesser external confrontation. The women identified addictions and emotional disorders as being consequences of EV, and for men, addictions, criminality and emotional disorders. The parents were the supportive figures.

CONCLUSIONS

a difference in gender was observed in the perception of the EV. A greater tolerance for EV was identified in female and a lesser perception of the risk for suffering in males.