Repercussions of Violence in the Family and Community Session on Mental Health Nursing

1. Repercussions of Violence in
the Family and Community

2. Abuse and violence are
associated with increased risk
for developing a range of
psychiatric conditions or
exacerbating existing ones.

3. THE FAMILY

4. THE FAMILY
The family is the basic societal unit,
thus a member of the family who is
being abused whether in the form of
domestic violence or outside the walls
of the home, affects all the members
in different ways.

5. FAMILY VIOLENCE…
Many studies have shown that people
who are abused in family relationships
are more likely to experience low self
esteem, anxiety, depression, suicidal
thoughts, and post-traumatic stress
disorder.

8. Common Effects of Violence That May
Affect the Family and the Community
 Addictions- smoking, drugs, alcohol
 Self-destructive behaviors
 High risk sexual practices
 Depression
 Suicidal tendencies
 Delinquent behavior
 Anxiety
 Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

9. Example: (PTSD)
“The rape happened the week before
Thanksgiving, and I can’t believe the
anxiety and fear I feel every year
around the anniversary date. It’s as
though I’ve seen a werewolf. I can’t
relax, can’t sleep, don’t want to be
with anyone. I wonder whether I’ll ever
be free of this terrible problem.”

10. VIOLENCE AFFECTS THE
FAMILY…
For example:
Lenore Walker's 1984 study found that
mothers were 8 times more likely to
hurt their children when they were
being battered than when they were
safe from violence.

11. Effects on the family..
 Disruption of normal family life
 Dissolution of marriage
 Decreased productivity
 Withdrawal from society
 Neglect of family members

12. Example: (self-mutilation)

13. THE COMMUNITY..

14. THE COMMUNITY..
The community is composed of
different families whose affairs
may be exposed or hidden from
the community.

15. Violence in the community
may affect its members’
mental health in a number
of ways.

16. Examples..
 A child witnessing a robbery/hold-up
 A girl gets raped, causing increased
anxiety in the community, doubting the
community’s safety
 A woman experiencing domestic violence
seeks refuge in neighbors

17. Effects of violence in the
community..
 creation of a bad impression for the
members of the family
 disturbing the peace in the neighborhood
 lessens the opportunity of women and
children to participate in community
activities
 affects the cohesion among families
(Felix and Paz-Ingente, 2003).