ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the steps that led to the formulation of a matrix of critical processes as an experience of public health nursing as part of reflections about coping with violence against and between young university students. Method: Mixed methods study. During the quantitative step, a descriptive, retrospective, time series study was carried out with data available in the Brazilian Information System for Notifiable Diseases, which recorded 854 cases of violence against and between young university students, whose ages ranged from 18 to 29 years old, reported in the state of Paraná, Brazil, between 2009 and 2015. 'The qualitative step focused on producing a descriptive study with 68 university students by applying content analysis, supported by the software webQDA. Results: The formulated matrix of critical processes showed protection and attrition processes, as well as weaknesses in their domains and dimensions, which allowed reflection on the interventions necessary to transform the objective reality of violence against and between young university students in the state of Paraná. Conclusion: Formulating the matrix of critical processes as an experience of reflection about coping with different types of violence allowed the application of theoretical and practical dialogue in a dialect of contraries, a principle that is foundational in public health nursing practice.
Matrix of critical processes of violence against and between young university students: the experience of nursing