Juliana Prates Santana

Instituições de atendimento a crianças e adolescentes em situação de rua

This study sought to describe Porto Alegres service institutions to street children and adolescents based on written documents produced by these institutions and the answers to a which are very important developmental contexts for this population. The results showed that there are some contradictions between the documents and institutional reality. This is due, mainly, to the fact that the documents did not follow-up on institutional changes, usually becoming obsolete. It is important to emphasize the relevance of the documental analysis, since this enables to understand a series of values and ideologies assumed by the institutions. Also, institutional aspects expressed in the documents are historically relevant, allowing for a better comprehension of the institutions, how they organize themselves to work with issues about street children and adolescents.

Os adolescentes em situação de rua e as instituições de atendimento: utilizações e reconhecimento de objetivos

The study aims to identify the meanings of institutional agencies for street youth. Thirteen male adolescents, 12 to 17 years old, were interviewed on the streets. The results revealed that the institutions are extremely important to these youngsters, giving food, clothes, leisure, education, job training and health care to those adolescents. The institutions constitute the social support network of the street youth. The institutional meanings were understood by the use and the given attributions related to their goals, showing the established relation between the adolescent and the institution.

“Vocês me encontram em qualquer lugar”: realizando pesquisa longitudinal com adolescentes em situação de rua

With the goal of furthering longitudinal research with hard to reach populations, this article describes the methodological strategies used in a longitudinal study conducted with 113 children and adolescents in street situations in three Brazilian capital cities. In addition to describing the different stages of the research process, the article details the multimethod strategies that enabled good sample retention (72% at 6 months and 62% at 12 months), as well as the validity of data resulting from ecological insertion and triangulation of data. Attrition analysis revealed only a few differences between youth who were retained vs. lost to follow-up on demographic and psychosocial indicators. Examination of reasons for attrition provides information that can be used in future research of development in atypical contexts. Finally, it is argued that research of this nature can have positive impacts on the rights protection system and consequently for participants’ network of protection.

Adverse childhood experiences and adjustment: A longitudinal study of street-involved youth in Brazil

Most research on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) has been conducted in high-income countries in the global North. The current longitudinal study examined the prevalence, overlap, and impact of ACEs in a sample of Brazilian children and adolescents who use city streets as spaces for socialization and survival (i.e., street-involved youth). Participants (N = 113; M age = 14.18 years) were recruited in three cities following standardized procedures. Most youth were male (80.5%) and non-White (91%). Lifetime exposure to ACEs was assessed at the first study time point; six indicators of psychological, behavioral, and physical adjustment were assessed 6 months later. Analyses addressed three research goals. First, the prevalence of seven ACEs was examined. Youth reported an average of 4.8 ACEs (SD = 1.25); no significant age or gender differences were found in ACEs exposure (all ps > .05). Second, the overlap between different ACEs was explored. Family dysfunction was correlated with family disruption and physical abuse; poverty and physical abuse were related (ps < .05). Third, prospective associations between ACEs and adjustment were tested. Total number of ACEs was not significantly correlated with any outcome, but several associations emerged for specific ACEs. For example, death of a close friend or family member was prospectively associated with negative affect; sexual abuse was associated with illicit drug use and physical health symptoms (ps < .05). Findings highlight the prevalence of ACEs in this vulnerable population and underscore the value of extending research on ACEs into novel populations and contexts.