Citation

Mkandawire-Valhmu L. Issues Ment. Health Nurs. 2010; 31(2): 112-118.

Affiliation

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, College of Nursing, P. O. Box 413, Milwaukee, WI 53201, USA. mkandawi@uwm.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.3109/01612840903254842

PMID

20070225

Abstract

The impact of violence on the mental health of women has been acknowledged but with limited exploration in resource-poor countries. Using critical ethnography and feminist methods, we analyzed the impact of violence on the mental health of a sample of Malawian women employed in domestic service. The analysis showed mental health as being situated in the context of poverty, inhumane treatment, social isolation, and the erosion of hope. We offer suggestions on how psychiatric nurses and other health care providers can promote the mental health of women employed in domestic service while acknowledging the limited mental health services in Malawi.

Language: en