Violence In Immigrants: Effects On Health, Perception Of Discrimination And Loneliness

The objective of this study was to analyze the prevalence of violence against Brazilian immigrant women since their arrival in Portugal and to know the consequences of this violence on the women's experience, specifically on health, perception of discrimination and loneliness. Conducted in the first half of 2016, with 682 women over 18 years of age living in Portugal for more than three months. Two types of collection were instituted: online, through the Limasurvey Platform, and in person, at the Consulate General of Brazil in Porto and Lisbon and in the Mais Association, applying the Discrimination Perceptions, Loneliness Scales (ULS-6) and Mental Health Problems. The results suggest that Brazilian women who have been targets of violence in Portugal have a worse perception of their health, a higher perception of discrimination, a higher level of solitude and more mental problems, which indicates that this group of immigrants has some vulnerabilities in the country, since violence has a harmful effect on physical and mental health. It is believed to be crucial to create a policy that aims at transforming actions aimed at strengthening the citizen and collective consciousness of these immigrant wome