Knowledge and valuation of bioethical concepts among adolescents

Authors

Abstract

This article aims to identify the knowledge and the value attributed by middle school students to bioethical
concepts such as autonomy, justice, and respect for human life, among others. This is a qualitative study
using content analysis of data collected from discussions on bioethics based on a problem situation
common to these students: teenage pregnancy and abortion. The study included 36 students aged
14 to 16 years, 20 males and 16 females, from two schools. The codes identified were common to
both groups, with the main theme being: “Is having an abortion right or wrong?” Five categories and
fourteen subcategories were also identified. Knowledge regarding the practical application of bioethical
concepts was limited, and the use of bioethical principles such as autonomy and beneficence tends to be
overlooked in situations where adolescents are confronted with previously ingrained beliefs.

Keywords:

Adolescent. Bioethics. Knowledge. Adolescent development. Pregnancy in adolescence.

Author Biographies

Alexandre Faraco de Oliveira, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto/Portugal.

Alexandre Faraco de Oliveira – Doutorando – afaraco@gmail.com
0000-0003-3940-5091

Evelise Pinto Rosa Faraco de Oliveira, Universidade do Planalto Catarinense, Lages/SC, Brasil.

Evelise Faraco de Oliveira – Doutora – evelise.oliveira@educacaolages.sc.gov.br
0000-0002-1513-6838

Ivone Maria Resende Figueiredo Duarte, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto/Portugal.

Ivone Duarte – Doutora – iduarte@med.up.pt
0000-0002-5160-7043

Rui Nunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto/Portugal.

Rui Nunes – Doutor – ruinunes@med.up.pt
0000-0002-1377-9899

Vol. 34 (2026): Continuous publication

Published:

2026-07-27

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-803420264079PT

Downloads

How to Cite

1.
Faraco de Oliveira A, Pinto Rosa Faraco de Oliveira E, Maria Resende Figueiredo Duarte I, Nunes R. Knowledge and valuation of bioethical concepts among adolescents. Rev. Bioét. [Internet]. 2026 Jul. 27 [cited 2026 Aug. 18];34. Available from: https://www.revistabioetica.cfm.org.br/revista_bioetica/article/view/4079

License

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.