The Presence of Common Mental Disorder in Women in Situations of Domestic Violence

Abstract

The objective of this research was to investigate the presence of Common Mental Disorder (CMD) in women in situations of Domestic Violence (DV). Thirty women participated, with an average of 35.93 years old, in a situation of domestic violence, who attended at the Women's Reference Center in a city in northeast, Brazil. The instruments applied were socio-demographic questionnaire and Self-Report Questionnaire (SRQ-20). It was observed that 23 participants (76.7%) had suggestive symptoms of CMD. The symptoms presented by most of the participants indicate the presence of anxious depressive mood, such as suicidal ideas and have shown somatic complaints. Domestic violence affects the mental health of women and impairs their quality of life. Therefore, local public policies that guarantee actions to promote health and prevent diseases are necessary. It is essential that the psychosocial service works together with other public health sectors and that individual or group psychotherapy is ensured to develop women’s self-knowledge, empowerment, and autonomy as a strategy to rescue self-esteem and reduce CMD symptoms.