Doralúcia Gil da Silva

Exposure to Domestic and Community Violence and Subjective Well-Being in Adolescents

There is major exposure to domestic and community violence during adolescence, which has been negatively related to well-being. This work aimed to identify relationships between domestic and community violence and the levels of subjective well-being perceived by adolescents, considering sex and age. The participants were 426 adolescents from public schools in the south of Brazil; 62% were girls, with a mean age of 14.91 years old ( SD = 1.65), who answered one instrument about exposure to violence and another about well-being. Results indicated greater domestic violence exposure among girls and greater community exposure among boys. The age range from 16 to 18 years old was the most exposed to domestic violence. Boys reported greater well-being and less negative affect. Differences in violence exposure may be related to roles of gender in our society. Well-being promotion is highlighted as a resource for confronting violence among adolescents.Estudios indican que en adolescencia hay uma mayor exposicion a situaciones de violencia intra y extra familiar, relacionando-se negativamente a bienestar. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo identificar relaciones entre la violencia intrafamiliar y extrafamiliar y los niveles de bienestar subjetivo percibidos por los adolescentes, teniendo en cuenta sexo y edad. Participaron 426 adolescentes de escuelas publicas del sul de Brasil, 62% mujeres, con media de edad de 14,91 anos ( DE = 1,65), que respondieron instrumentos sobre exposicion a violencia y bienestar. Los resultados indicaron mayor exposicion a violencia intrafamiliar entre las mujeres y maior exposicion a violencia extrafamiliar entre los ninos. El grupo de edad 16 a 18 anos fue el mas expuesto a violencia intrafamiliar. Los ninos mostraron um mayor bienestar y niveles mas bajos de afectos negativos. Diferencias en la exposicion a violencia pueden estar relacionadas a roles de genero de nuestra sociedad. Destaca-se la promocion de bienestar subjectivo como recurso para el enfrentamiento de la violencia entre adolescentes.

Methodological Aspects of Research on Violence Against Adolescents in Brazilian Public Schools

Violence is considered a public health problem. It can occur in the family environment, perpetrated for family or household members, or in the community, perpetrated by unrelated persons. Several studies indicate that adolescents are the group most exposed to violence in different contexts. This chapter will discuss two studies: “Violence and Prejudice in School,” conducted by the partnership among several institutions, and “Exposure to violence in adolescence: Relations with well-being and mental health.” Both studies were conducted in public schools, involving more than 400 adolescents. The chapter will discuss some topics about researches with adolescents in schools, like strategies of approach with school communities; strategies of data collection, as questionnaires and focal groups; and challenges and limitations in researches with adolescents. The comprehension of the perception of adolescents about violence and the associated factors can increase the knowledge about this phenomenon and promote the development of public policies for this population.

Exposição de adolescentes à violência em diferentes contextos: relações com a saúde mental

This study aimed to discuss the issue of exposure of adolescents to violence in different contexts and their relationships with mental health. Through a systematic review of the SciELO (Scientifi c Eletronic Library Online), MEDLINE and PsycINFO, from 2009 to 2013, 19 articles were recovered from inclusion and exclusion criteria. Categories defi ned a priori were used from three main areas of analysis: (a) methodological characteristics; (b) type of violence and context of investigation and (c) impact of violence on the mental health of adolescents. The violence in the family and in other developmental contexts produces negative effects on the mental health of adolescents. This study highlights the need for investment in prevention and promotion of mental health in adolescence, as well as interventions in pursuit of preventing exposure to violence through identifi cation of risk and protective factors in the various contexts of adolescent development.

Rivalidade fraterna durante a gestação materna do segundo filho: manifestações e estratégias de manejo

Sibling rivalry can be considered a normal experience among children. The present study investigated maternal impressions about sibling rivalry expressed by firstborns during their second pregnancy. The study included 24 pregnant women fromPorto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, who were in their last trimester of pregnancy and already had a child aged from two to six years. The qualitative content analysis, based on a semi-structured interview, revealed a vast number of reports regarding sibling rivalry, which was manifested through aggression directed at the unborn baby/ mothers belly, fear of losing parents love/attention, and fear of invasion of personal space. At the same time that they identified themselves with the unborn babies, in order to deal with this rivalry, firstborns tried to belittle their unborn siblings. The expectant mothers made an effort to teach their first-born child to share and to prevent jealous feelings.