Nossos corpos: de mãe para filha uma leitura junguiana

Abstract

This study investigated the self-image of mothers of young women diagnosed with bulimia nervosa. Bulimia was understood as a complex phenomenon involving body dissatisfaction, cultural patterns, and transgenerational psychic transmission. The research aimed to understand how these mothers perceive themselves and their daughters, as well as their models of womanhood within familial and sociocultural contexts. A qualitative case study design was adopted, with the participation of four mothers. Three instruments were used: a semi-structured interview, the Drawing-and-Story Procedure with Theme (PDE-T), and the Kakeshita Silhouette Scale. Thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) was conducted alongside a symbolic interpretation of the graphic and narrative productions, based on Jungian psychology. The results indicate that participants reported experiences of rejection, body dissatisfaction, and conflicts with their own mothers. Their narratives revealed identity fragility, idealizations around femininity, and difficulties in differentiating themselves from their daughters. The research indicates that the psychological distress related to mothering is unconsciously expressed by the participants both in relation to their daughters and to their own mothers. This work was supported by of the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES)