Daily violence: a study of mental health promotion in Porto Alegre (RS)

摘要

This work was carried out in the city of Porto Alegre (Rio Grande do Sul) and studied low-income families from Partenon district. The families sample was selected by a local Children and Teenager Council, taking into account some kind of offense they have committed such as: intra-family violence, adolescents' runaway, drug addiction, school absenteeism and rape. The families attended a group during nine fortnight evening meetings, from August to September 1997. Paintings, music, photos and drama were used in the workshops. Researches improved families' healthy aspects; introduced limits on violent behavior and helped people to improve their self-esteem. Eleven families were followed (33 people). Three families attended only the first meeting; five families felt better at the end of the process and three could not be helped. Researchers believe that groups like this could be helpful to cope with domestic violence.