[Care in situation of severe renal insufficiency: social representations elaborated by adolescents]

The objective of the study was to apprehend the social representations of teenagers in relation to care in situation of Severe Renal Insufficiency. It was applied the test of free association of words to 70 teenagers and interview semi-structured with eight teenagers. It was evoked 1630 words from the stimulus disease, health, dialysis, care of oneself, professional care and familiar care. From the interviews it was constructed two thematic cores that bring meanings about the familiar care and professional care that influence in ways of notice and act in relation to care to health. It concluded that social representation of teenager focuses the meanings of sickening and care, marked by linking among the practices of care and psycho-affective and social relations impregnated in their living.