Fernanda Lüdke Nardi

Adolescentes em conflito com a lei: percepções sobre a família

This article presents three case studies of adolescents, young offenders, focusing on their family perceptions. The instruments utilized were a semi-structured interview, the genogram and the Family System Test (FAST). The results of the FAST test revealed unstable and unbalanced family structures with cohesion varying between low and average and hierarchy varying from low to high. The instruments used in this study showed that the mother and sisters were identified as support figures who were present throughout their development, representing an important protective factor. This study highlights the importance of understanding the way in which these families function, in respect to hierarchy, cohesion and educational practices, in order to propose appropriate prevention and intervention programs for this population.

Drug use and antisocial behavior among adolescents attending public schools in Brazil

INTRODUCTION Drug use is a social and a public health problem that has been related with antisocial behavior. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between drug use and antisocial behavior among adolescents attending public schools in Brazil. METHOD A total of 7,176 adolescents from low-income neighborhoods and public schools aged 14 to 19 years were assessed in five geographical regions in Brazil. Data on biosociodemographic characteristics and on drug use and antisocial behavior were assessed from complete answers to a national survey on risk and protective factors among adolescents. RESULTS Over 80% of the adolescents who used alcohol and cigarettes were between 14 and 17 years old. The percentage of participants with antisocial behaviors was significantly higher among users of marijuana, cocaine, or crack than among adolescents who were not drug users. CONCLUSIONS Prevention programs aimed at reducing substance use might help to decrease antisocial behaviors.

Preditores do Comportamento Antissocial em Adolescentes

Este estudo investigou preditores do comportamento antissocial em 142 adolescentes em medida socioeducativa de internacao (G1) e 691 estudantes de escolas publicas (G2), que responderam a um questionario. Foram observadas diferencas significativas entre os grupos quanto ao comportamento antissocial, violencia intra e extrafamiliar, uso de drogas e eventos estressores, com medias mais altas em G1. Dentre as variaveis investigadas, grupo, uso de drogas e eventos estressores, juntamente com a covariavel sexo, explicaram 66,5% da variavel dependente. Um modelo de path analysis demonstrou que as variaveis sexo e ambiente estressor, computado pelos eventos estressores, qualidade do relacionamento familiar e violencia intra e extrafamiliar predizem o uso de drogas e comportamentos antissociais.

Trajetória de Adolescentes em Conflito com a Lei Após Cumprimento de Medida Socioeducativa em Meio Fechado

This research investigated trajectories of adolescents after a socio-educational measure through a quantitative and longitudinal study. Participants were 143 young offenders aged between 14 and 20 years old. The instruments used were a data socio-demographic and a risk and protective factors questionnaire, besides conducting telephone contacts for a period of two and half years. Participants were divided into four groups: G1: recidivists (n=22), G2: socially reintegrated (n=24), G3: maintaining the status (n=38) and G4: other situations (n=59). The results indicated that the contextual variables were not associated with the type of trajectory. As to personal variables, we found significant differences, G2 presented higher levels in relation to self-esteem while G1 had higher levels of drug use. Therefore, proposals for intervention with this population should consider both contextual and personal variables.