“ROSAS DE AÇO”: Histórias de mães em sofrimento mental usuárias do CAPS, Cuité - PB.

Abstract

Studies show that there are gender differences in the incidence, prevalence and course of mental disorders . Women have higher prevalence rates of mental disorders than men. Factors such as history of illnesses, stressful life events, marital and family difficulties, low economic and educational levels, inadequate social support, in addition to the multiple roles that it has played within society predispose women to develop some mental disorder, since it is feels obliged to respond to all internal and external expectations. When this woman is also a mother, these factors and motherhood itself influence their mental health. This study aims to reveal the stories of mothers who are users of Caps. It is an exploratory and descriptive qualitative study conducted in Caps I Sebastião Paulo de Sousa, in the city of Cuité. The sample consists of five mothers in mental distress, and the production of empirical material was through interviews with the collaborators. The methodology used was thematic oral history, proposed by Meihy, and from the narratives two main themes were developed: 1) “A Path of Thorns”: The difficulties in exercising motherhood; 2) “Matchs and Mismatches”: The relationship between mother, child and family. It was observed that the most striking difficulties were the poor socioeconomic conditions, mental suffering and domestic violence. Moreover, it was observed in the relationship of these mothers with their children and family, the difficulties that the condition of mental disorder within the family and carries the marital relationship, and there is the problem that these women face when their children are raised by other families away from the interaction of their friendship. It became evident that, despite the difficulties faced by mothers, the participants in this study desire or seek to maintain a sense of mothering, and that family support is an essential factor in the psychological and social recovery of these women.