[Adolescents and health. Group-building based on representations of health and disease]

This study explores the presence of different "groups" of adolescents based on their representations of health and disease. Concepts traditionally linked to the study of subjectivity were incorporated into the building of these "groups". Four hundred students participated in the survey. Data were analyzed through multiple correspondence analysis, a multivariate approach especially designed to work with large numbers of qualitative variables. Eight groups of adolescents were detected, described as follows: frightened; tends to close eyes; hypochondriac; sensual; happy; embittered; outgoing (looks out on the world); and introspective (contemplates own navel). The results highlight the importance of diversifying research and interventions focusing on this age bracket.