SELF-ESTEEM AMONG WOMEN IN SITUATIONS OF SOCIAL VULNERABILITY: A STUDY AT A SOCIAL ASSISTANCE INSTITUTION

Abstract

 Self-esteem is a central aspect of personal and social development, directly influencing how individuals perceive themselves and relate to the world. In the case of women in situations of social vulnerability, this process is crossed by challenges related to socioeconomic conditions, daily overload, lack of opportunities, isolation, and fragile support, factors that may compromise the perception of personal value and significantly impact the construction of self-esteem. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze how the context of social vulnerability influences the self-esteem of women assisted by a social assistance institution. This is a qualitative research conducted with five women over 18 years old assisted by a Social Assistance Reference of a social assistance institution in a city in the south of Santa Catarina. Data collection was carried out through semi-structured interviews, later analyzed using Bardin’s (2011) content analysis method. The results showed that factors such as single motherhood, lack of family support, financial difficulties, aesthetic pressure, and lack of time for self-care negatively influence the participants’ self-esteem. However, elements of personal strengthening were also identified, such as the perception of themselves as “strong” and “hardworking” women, demonstrating strategies of resistance and self-valorization in the face of adversity. It is concluded that social vulnerability directly impacts the construction of female self-esteem, reinforcing the importance of public social assistance policies and the role of qualified professionals within SUAS in promoting support, strengthening autonomy, and improving the psychological well-being of these women.