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Career guidance and health promotion with adolescents: keys for intervention programs

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Abstract

This qualitative study investigates underprivileged students’ perceptions of their future, their health, and the relevance of a career counseling process. Interviews regarding career guidance were conducted during a workshop with nine eleventh-grade students from a public high school in Brazil’s capital. The data were analyzed according to Gonzalez-Rey’s constructive–interpretive method and three zones of senses emerged from this process: (1) the need to offer a supportive and safe space, (2) the challenges faced by participants and facilitators, and (3) the benefits from the intervention. The results suggested that this population has specific needs beyond career-related needs. They have limited sources of leisure and suffer from cultural and socio-economic prejudices.

Résumé

Orientation professionnelle et promotion de la santé auprès d’adolescents: Contribution pour les programmes d’intervention. Cette étude qualitative investigue les perceptions des étudiants défavorisés sur leur futur, leur santé et la pertinence d’un processus de conseil en orientation. Des entretiens au sujet du conseil en orientation ont été menés au cours d’un atelier avec neuf élèves en 11e année dans un lycée public de la capitale du Brésil. Les données ont été analysées selon la méthode constructive–interprétative de Gonzalez-Rey et trois zones de sens ont émergé du processus: (1) le besoin d’offrir un espace soutenant et sûr, (2) les défis et les opportunités rencontrés par les participants, et (3) les bénéfices issus de l’intervention. Les résultats suggèrent que cette population à des besoins spécifiques au delà des besoins liés à la carrière. Ces élèves ont des sources de loisirs limitées et souffrent de préjugés culturels et socio-économiques.

Zusammenfassung

Laufbahnberatung und Gesundheitsförderung bei Jugendlichen: Beiträge für Interventionsprogramme. Die vorliegende qualitative Studie untersucht bei benachteiligten Studierenden Wahrnehmungen von deren Zukunft, Gesundheit und Relevanz einer Laufbahnberatung. Mit neun Studierenden der elften Klasse einer öffentlichen High-School in Brasiliens Hauptstadt wurden während eines Workshops Interviews zum Thema Laufbahnberatung durchgeführt. Die Daten wurden gemäß Gonzalez-Rey’s konstruktiv–interpretativer Methode analysiert. Dieser Prozess hat zu drei Bedeutungsbereichen geführt: (1) das Bedürfnis, eine unterstützende und sichere Umwelt anzubieten, (2) die Herausforderungen, denen die Teilnehmenden und deren Unterstützende begegnen, und (3) der Nutzen der Intervention. Die Ergebnisse weisen darauf hin, dass die untersuchte Population spezifische Bedürfnisse hat, die über rein berufsbezogene Bedürfnisse hinausgehen. Sie hat begrenzte Ressourcen für Freizeit und leidet unter kulturellen und sozioökonomischen Vorurteilen.

Resumen

La orientación profesional y promoción de la salud en los adolescentes: contribuciones para programas de intervención. Este estudio cualitativo investiga las percepciones de los estudiantes de escasos recursos, sobre su futuro, su salud, y la relevancia de un proceso de orientación profesional. Para ello, se llevaron a cabo entrevistas acerca de la orientación profesional durante un taller con nueve estudiantes de undécimo grado pertenecientes a un instituto público de secundaria en la capital de Brasil. Los datos se analizaron según el método constructivo–interpretativo de González-Rey y durante este proceso se identificaron tres zonas de sentidos: (1) la necesidad de ofrecer un espacio de apoyo y seguro, (2) los retos a los que se enfrentan los participantes y profesionales, y (3) los beneficios de la intervención. Los resultados sugieren que esta población tiene necesidades específicas más allá de las necesidades relacionadas con la carrera. Tienen limitadas opciones de ocio y además, soportan prejuicios culturales y socioeconómicos.

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Acknowledgment

This research was funded by CAPES (Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel).

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  1. University of Brasilia, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro. ICC – Ala Sul, Bloco A, Térreo, sala AT-019, Brasília, DF, 70910-900, Brazil

    Fernando Henrique Rezende Aguiar & Maria Inês Gandolfo Conceição

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  1. Fernando Henrique Rezende Aguiar
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  2. Maria Inês Gandolfo Conceição
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Correspondence to Fernando Henrique Rezende Aguiar or Maria Inês Gandolfo Conceição.

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Aguiar, F.H.R., Conceição, M.I.G. Career guidance and health promotion with adolescents: keys for intervention programs. Int J Educ Vocat Guidance 15, 221–236 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-015-9311-9

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