Lifestyle, Mental Health and Gender Conditions in Rural Contexts: A Study within Agraria Reform Settlements of Northeastern Brazil

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the rate of Common Mental Disorders (cmd) in rural settlements in the States of Rio Grande do Norte and Piauí, as well as the implications of conditions related to gender in producing suffering, of men and women older than 18 years of age. The methods adopted in this study were: the application of a Socio-demographic and Environmental Questionnaire, and the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (srq-20), as well as semi-structured interviews. The results highlight that the highest rates of cmd are among women, and attribute the presence of cmd to low income and lack of education. For women, mental anguish is related to an overload of domestic chores, gender violence and daily stressors, and for men, results highlight being overworked in their agricultural jobs, and the appearance of illnesses related to the loss of vitality, and physical stamina. It is significant to note that the incidence of cmd appear based on determiners such as social inequality, problems with access to health and education policies, and forms of subjectivity with regard to gender relations.