Older Brazilian women’s experience of psychological domestic violence: a social phenomenological study

Abstract

BackgroundDomestic violence is a global public health issue, as it is in Brazil. The psychological violence is one of the most prevalent forms of domestic violence, affecting more women than men. However, many older adults do not consider it as a type of domestic violence. In addiction, psychological violence has received little attention from researchers. So, this study aims to further understand the phenomenon of psychological domestic violence perpetrated by relatives against older adult women (60 years and older).MethodsA qualitative study was conducted using a social phenomenological approach proposed by Alfred Schütz. In-depth interviews were conducted with 11 older Brazilian women from three different agencies, two in Campina Grande and one in São Bernardo do Campo. Data collection took place between November 2012 and February 2013. We performed data analysis using the key concepts (such as the world of everyday life, natural attitude, intersubjetivity, stock of knowledge, biographical situation, social action, motivation and typification) proposed by Alfred Schutz.ResultsDespite the fact that participants reported being psychologically abused, they also referred to being neglected and financially abused. They revealed being threatened, disrespected, neglected, financially abused, forced to do housework, and humiliated. Older women expressed feelings of sadness, anger, grief, and fear, which had negative effects on their health. Attempts by the participants to change their current situations were unsuccessful and resulted in feelings of helplessness. The abuser’s behaviour will change, and leaving the abusive situation were two possible outcomes pointed for participants.ConclusionsA support network is crucial to help changing the behaviour of aggressors and/or to help older adult women leave the abusive situation. Further research is needed to understand the risk factors linked to abuse behaviours, to develop educational programs for the abusers, and to design social support for the victims.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12939-015-0173-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Prevalence of and demographic factors associated with domestic violence among Iranian older adults: the results of Urban HEART-2

“…These findings are inconsistent with the results of the present study. Queiroga Souto et al in their social phenomenological study found that the victimized older women may ignore their own safety in order to protect the aggressor abuser, and they often have a desire to change the abuser's behavior (Souto, Merighi, Guruge, & Jesus, 2015).…”

Intervenções Médicas No Parto Vaginal: Uma Revisão Integrativa

“…Nesse sentido, há, também, necessidade de políticas públicas com o intuito de aplicar estratégias comunitárias que visem essa prevenção, visto que a violencia está relacionada, muitas vezes, a questões sociais e culturais e a escassez de acesso a programas sociais para garantia de proteção e resolução dos problemas (RUELAS-GONZALEZ, et al, 2016). Assim como, o desenvolvimento de estratégias para reabilitação e educação do abusador, serviços de apoio as vítimas (SOUTO, et al, 2015), campanhas de esclarecimento nas escolas, comunidades e mídias para conhecer o processo de envelhecimento (SILVA; DIAS, 2016).…”

“…Segundo os artigos analisados os idosos na maioria das vezes apresentam um sentimento de proteção com seus agressores, visto que geralmente são individuos do seu circulo familiar(SOUTO, 2015). A falta de preparo da sociedade contemporânea (DAMASCENO; SOUSA; MOURA, 2016), e consequentemente, desses agressores para lidarem com o processo de envelhecimento e com a pessoa idosa, assim como, as modificações na sua organização e as rupturas dos laços intergeracionais, impactam diretamente na incidência de abusos sobre essa população (SILVA; DIAS, 2016).Esse problema social ocorre visivelmente devido as crises e mudanças que as sociedades modernas sofrem com a falta de criação de serviços e programas para apoiar os familiares no cuidado aos idosos como instituições intermediarias de cuidados, centros de dia, programas Inter geracionais e instituições de longa permanência(DANESH, et al, 2017).…”

Flowchart of elderly care victms of abuse: an interdisciplinary perspective

“…5 Although one in four older people is at risk of domestic violence, the proportion of reported cases is limited, and is usually exposed only when violence takes place through physical manifestations. 6 This situation is due to the fact that victims do not accept they are being attacked by a family member or friends, due to: religious and cultural beliefs, social norms, fear of retaliation, protection of the aggressor, shame, guilt and helplessness. 6 According to the Violence and Accident Surveillance System (VIVA), in 2014, 12,297 cases of violence against older people were reported in Brazil, with 43.7% being repeated.…”

“…6 This situation is due to the fact that victims do not accept they are being attacked by a family member or friends, due to: religious and cultural beliefs, social norms, fear of retaliation, protection of the aggressor, shame, guilt and helplessness. 6 According to the Violence and Accident Surveillance System (VIVA), in 2014, 12,297 cases of violence against older people were reported in Brazil, with 43.7% being repeated. Among the reported cases, the victims were mostly white and had a low level of education, with 70.4% of the cases taking place in the victim's home.…”