THE PERMANENCE OF INDIGENOUS STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY: WHAT IS THE ROLE OF PSYCHOLOGY?

Abstract

ABSTRACT The research aimed to understand the work carried out by psychologists in order to guarantee that indigenous students stay at the university. Six psychologists with connections to public universities located in the South, Southeast, and Mid-West regions of Brazil were interviewed. The interviews were carried out individually via Google Meet and followed a previously established script, which was recorded and then transcribed. After transcribing and reading the interviews, we listed the following topics for discussion: 1 - actions developed; 2 - difficulties and challenges; 3 - strategies and recommendations. Among the main actions developed are the psychologists’ participation in committees with the objective to guarantee that students stay at the university, actions with the academic community, and specific actions with indigenous students themselves, whether individual or in group. Thus, the work challenges are those related to bonding - the formation and the risk that the emotional bond becomes a relation of dependence -, the challenges of temporality and understanding the role of Psychology. We conclude that Psychology can contribute to the permanence of indigenous students at universities. To achieve this, it is not necessary to abandon inefficient theories and techniques. Listening and asking good questions are fundamental resources that must be combined with other forms of knowledge.