Adverse events impacting the mental health of children and young people: could the positive family environment minimize this negative cycle?

• Grant number: 20/15759-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: May 01, 2022
• End date: March 14, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Psychology - Human Development Psychology
• Principal Investigator: Cristiane Silvestre de Paula
• Grantee: Júlia Magalhães
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie (UPM). Instituto Presbiteriano Mackenzie. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In communities characterized by social vulnerability, there are high rates of exposure to violence in the community, at school and in the family environment, as well as stressful events experienced by children and young people. Children and young people who have experienced some type of violence, such as those mentioned, are very likely to develop some type of mental health problem, including symptoms of anxiety and depression, internalization and externalization problems. Some family factors, however, can minimize the adverse effect of exposure to violence on the mental health of children and adolescents. The main objective of this research is to verify if the positive family environment (affective parental care and absence of maternal mental health problems) reduces the deleterious effect of adverse events (exposure to violence [in the community, at school, in the family] and stressful life events) on the trajectory of mental health problems among children and young people in situations of social vulnerability. This cohort study evaluates data from a broader longitudinal epidemiological study (Itaboraí Youth Study), involving a population-based probabilistic sample of 1,189 children / young people between 6-15 years of age and their mothers, living in the municipality of Itaboraí-RJ. We will use data collected on the independent, dependent and moderating variables, accessed from data collection instruments with satisfactory psychometric properties according to literature evidence. We will use the SPSS statistical package to carry out statistical analysis. Bivariate and multivariate models of logistic regression and moderation analyzes will be used. The results of the study are expected to contribute to the formulation of public policies and the creation of intervention strategies.