Risk factors and protection for mental disorders in children and teenagers victims of domestic violence

Author(s)

Natália Amaral Hildebrand

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Faculdade de Ciências Médicas
• Defense date: 2012-08-27

Examining board members

Maria de Lurdes Zanolli; Sheila Cavalcante Caetano; Renata Cruz Soares de Azevedo

• Advisor: Maria de Lurdes Zanolli; Eloisa Helena Rubello Valler Celeri

Abstract

Introduction: There is a natural tendency to see childhood as a period in life when the subject is free of any problems or concerns. However, many children and adolescents have psychiatric disorders, mainly associated with risk factors such as domestic violence situations. Objective / Aims: To study risk and protection factors for psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents victims of domestic violence, and, from the perspective of health promotion, verify referral proposals in relation to the individual therapeutic project for children, adolescent and their family. Method: This study utilized quantitative and qualitative approaches. The subjects of this research were children and adolescents victims of domestic violence (4-16 years) and their families, attended to a Specialized Service in care of domestic violence against children and adolescents in the city of Campinas, in addition to teachers and professionals of psychology and social promotion area that accompany them. For data collection, structured instruments, semi-structured interviews and focus groups were applied. This study initially used two questionnaires for individual applications, SDQ - Strength Dificults Questionarie, to identify mental health problems and DAWBA - Development and Well-Being Assessment, that aim to generate diagnosis in child and adolescent mental health. For greater reliability in the diagnosis, the second instrument was applied in the three existing versions (children or adolescents, caregiver/ parents and teachers). Then, it was performed a Focus Group with professionals that accompany the families in order to propose a discussion and analysis about the diagnosis of children and adolescents in care, risk and protection factors, professional activity and also on the referral in relation to therapeutic project of each individual and their family. Results: It was verified a prevalence of 65.5% of mental health problems in studied group. The risk factors for the development of psychopathologies in childhood and young adulthood included: alarming use of alcohol charge caregiver /parents (p=0,018), this one being out of the productive process (p=0,04) and the age of the subjects (p=0,031), because the higher the age, the greater the number of psychiatric disorders (comorbidity). It was a protection factor the caregiver/ parents be inserted in some kind of work. It was verified through focus groups the need of: changes in the work conditions of the professionals of Specialized Services; a construction of an effective network articulation aiming to change the paradigm of the domestic violence phenomenon in childhood and young adulthood; review and evaluate effective public policies of prevention and treatment of this population. Conclusion: The domestic violence experienced in childhood and young adulthood is, by itself, a significant risk factor for the development of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents, aggravated by the alarming use of alcohol charge caregiver /parents or this one being out of the productive process. Furthermore, it was found that the higher the age, the greater the risk of psychiatric disorders, especially of comorbidities. It is essential to ensure the integrality of care and the progress in the effectuation of children and adolescents rights, and for this, it is necessary to review and evaluate effective public policies of prevention and specialized treatment in Mental Health for children and adolescents victims of domestic violence (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/03503-5 - Risk factors and protection for mental disorders in children and adolescents victims of domestic violence
• Grantee: Natália Amaral Hildebrand
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master