Body transformations: An opportunity to work on the ethical perspective through photovoice and bodymapping

Body transformations are alterations of the body due to symbolic, aesthetic, religious or cultural reasons. The increase in frequency, especially among young people, raises ethical questions. Future nurses must understand the ethical implications of social phenomena.

The aim was to find out how nursing students perceive bodily transformations from the perspective of Foulcauldian self-care and to determine the ethical value and health consequences of these transformations.

A qualitative study based on the socio-critical paradigm and based on the theory's principles of the Technologies of the self (Foucault). Photovoice and bodymapping were used for the reflection process. The participants were 267 first-year nursing students from two Spanish universities. A content analysis was conducted.

The Research Ethics Committee of both universities approved this study.

The body transformations most photographed by the students were piercing, tattoos and surgical interventions. Two main categories emerged: 1. Body modifications as constructions of the self with two subcategories, the pursuit of bodily aesthetics and the pursuit of spiritual aesthetics. 2. Health consequences. The need to build an identity of their own, as well as to be integrated into their environment by helping to improve not only their external appearance but also their inner side were the main inputs. The major ethical dilemmas are evident when body modifications are influenced by social and cultural values. The debate and reflection of the students through photovoice and its symbolic representation in bodymapping highlighted its health consequences. For the students, nursing should accompany them throughout the entire process, highlighting the importance of ethical values.

The ethical value attributed to the different body modifications has been shown, revealing how they have a common origin, the improvement of their corporal and spiritual aesthetics. Nursing has a role as an active carer of the health of these people and must act in accordance with the ethical principles of this profession.