Mulheres na meia idade e velhice: condições de vida, saúde mental e raça/cor

Abstract

The aim was to compare living conditions and mental health (Common Mental Disorders - CMD) among white, brown and black women in middle age and old age. A descriptive, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach was carried out in a virtual environment. A convenience sample of 545 middle-aged and older women in Brazil completed an online form with a sociodemographic information sheet and the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20). Bivariate analyses (chi-square of independence and Student's t-test) and a factorial ANOVA (p≤0.05) were performed and effect sizes were calculated. The results indicated differences by race/color in terms of family configuration and socioeconomic conditions, with a higher proportion of black women in the worst indices. With regard to mental health, white women were more protected and brown and single black women had more CMD. The data indicated the complexity involved in mental health and its relationship with living conditions and may contribute to a better understanding of the aging of women by race/color.