Coping strategies for domestic violence: Testimony of women involved with drugs

Milca Ramaiane Da Silva Carvalho,Lilian Conceição Guimarães De Almeida,Nadirlene Pereira Gomes,Luana Rodrigues Santos,Luana Moura Campos,Jeane Freitas De Oliveira

doi:10.1590/2177-9465-ean-2018-0291

Milca Ramaiane Da Silva Carvalho, Lilian Conceição Guimarães De Almeida + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.1590/2177-9465-ean-2018-0291

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Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: To understand strategies used by women involved with alcohol and/or other drugs to cope with domestic violence. Methods: A qualitative study using the theoretical framework of coping strategies proposed by Folkman and Lazarus. 19 women with reports of domestic violence and involvement with alcohol and/or other drugs attended to at Family Health Units in a city of Bahia, Brazil. The data were systematized based on Discourse of the Collective Subject. Results: Given the context of domestic violence and drug use, women confront their partners; they try to have a conversation; they seek family and institutional support and take responsibility and blame for the aggression suffered. Conclusions and implications for practice: The strategies listed may support actions to prevent and cope with the phenomenon, especially from the intersectoral articulation.

Highlights

IntroductionThe magnitude of domestic violence in Brazil and worldwide compromises the country’s economic system, demanding strategic actions to prevent and cope with this phenomenon, especially given its interface with drug use, whether by the woman and/or the partner
The magnitude of domestic violence in Brazil and worldwide compromises the country’s economic system, demanding strategic actions to prevent and cope with this phenomenon, especially given its interface with drug use, whether by the woman and/or the partner.In Gauteng, South Africa, a study found that at least half of the 511 women investigated were victims of an intimate partner at some point in their lives.[1]
In the collective discourse, women blame themselves for the violence they suffer, as they believe they deserve the domestic violence due to their “inappropriate behavior”, which justifies the use of violence, especially because this occurs in scenarios with alcohol and/or other drug consumption by the partner and they believe that they have a ‘good husband’

Summary

Introduction

The magnitude of domestic violence in Brazil and worldwide compromises the country’s economic system, demanding strategic actions to prevent and cope with this phenomenon, especially given its interface with drug use, whether by the woman and/or the partner. The state of the art on domestic violence shows a close relationship of this problem with the consumption of drugs. The association between drug use by women and violence is evidenced, this study, like others, does not enable to infer if the use of the substance motivates or is the consequence of the abuses

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