Estresse extremo e regulação emocional em mulheres em situação de violência conjugal

Abstract

Violence against women has been focus of researches and interventions, being considered a public health problem. Several studies show that this phenomenon can cause severe health damages to women, including psychological symptoms and difficulties in emotional self-regulation. This thesis involves two empirical studies with quantitative, correlational and transversal design, with a sample of 47 women with history of domestic violence. The first study evaluated depression, anxiety and emotional regulation levels. Furthermore, it was investigated the seriousness of violence situation and the level of suffered and perpetrated aggression by women. Lastly, it was investigated the difference on depression, anxiety and emotional regulation levels between women who had reported suffering violence and those who had identified suffering and perpetrating violence. The results indicated mild levels of anxiety, moderate levels of depression and emotional dysregulation among participants. Positive correlations in these variables were found and no differences in depression, anxiety and emotional regulation levels in studied groups. The second study evaluated the history of childhood maltreatment and extreme stress (complex trauma) diagnosis. The results revealed that all participants had maltreatment situations during childhood and 30% showed complex trauma diagnosis. It is concluded that domestic violence is a risk factor to women's mental health and that maltreatment history is often present in their lives. The results suggest the need of treatment protocols with focus on depression, complex trauma and emotional regulation.