Description

Introduction: The consumption of psychoactive substances is currently considered a public health problem, circumstance leads to new researches that contributes to a greater understanding of the phenomenon and with it the development of new methodological tools, which involve interventions that go hand in hand with new paradigms and contexts. Objective: To understand the social representations constructed by a group of 20 teenagers between 12 and 17 years old of male and female gender with consumption of Spa. Method: Qualitative investigation; 20 semi-structured interviews were made and two focus groups were conducted. Results: It was demonstrated social representations as: the consumption of Spa is accepted by teenagers as a mediating element of social relationship and uninhibiting of emotions. The consumption of Spa is related to the places of consumption through narratives, attitudes and beliefs. Conclusions: The social representations significantly influence behaviors and a low perception of risk to health, as well as social exclusion from the normative areas. The social representations related to the places of consumption of Spa generate territories of affectivity and perception of social inclusion in the peer group.