Prevalence of Behavioral Problems in Adolescents in Social Vulnerability: Assessment from a Parental Perspective

Abstract

Although there are international data on the prevalence of behavioral problems through childhood/adolescence, there is still a need to explore emotional/behavioral problems experienced by Brazilian adolescents, especially in situations of extreme social problems or social vulnerability (SV). This is an observational, cross-sectional study, carried out with a convenience sample, to describe emotional/behavioral problems of adolescents living in a high SV scenario in the city of Salvador-BA, from their parents or guardians’ point of view. Sociodemographic questionnaire and CBCL/6-18 were applied to a sample of 274 adolescents’ parents/guardians. Data analysis found that 20.4% of the sample had problems in the clinical range for CBCL’s Total Problems. Sociodemographic variables can impact behavioral problems in adolescence and need to be investigated. This study adds new data on child and youth psychopathologies at the national level and can promote preventive actions and referrals aimed at this population.

Mental health among adolescents exposed to social inequality in Latin America and the Caribbean: a scoping review

“…More recently, this concept has been expanded to the consumption of goods and services ( 71 ). However, the essential definition of poverty recognizes it as a fundamental life condition that affects social, economic, and environmental relations and determines the degree of social inequality ( 20 , 39 , 40 , 47 , 54 , 57 – 59 , 61 , 62 , 65 , 68 , 71 – 74 ).…”

“…Poor infrastructure is also related to lack of public transportation, besides leisure, education and health centers ( 39 , 47 , 58 ). Furthermore, in 11 articles, disadvantaged neighborhoods were characterized by high levels of insecurity (violence and accidents), drug trafficking, urban crime, police raids, assaults, robberies, and shootouts ( 20 , 39 , 42 , 58 , 59 , 62 , 63 , 65 , 67 , 70 , 76 ).…”

“…Social vulnerability was further manifested in the disparities in educational attainment among individuals from low, middle, and higher socioeconomic classes ( 39 ). The access to education among poor adolescents is erratic, reflected in their low school enrolment ( 20 , 42 , 46 , 62 , 65 , 70 , 71 ). This phenomenon also occurs in the parental (household head) generation among disadvantaged groups ( 40 , 58 , 66 ).…”

“…Similarly, numerous studies reported that caregivers’ loss of employment or engagement in low-status occupations, particularly within informal, illegal, or low-paying sectors, contributed to an increase in the family’s social vulnerability ( 20 , 39 , 40 , 42 , 58 , 66 , 70 , 72 ). Furthermore, the need of increasing family income could push young individuals into premature employment, which could be harmful because it interferes with their education and personal development ( 46 , 65 , 76 ).…”

“…Contexts marked by structural inequality – characterized by low income, unemployment, social exclusion as well as poor access to health services, education, and housing – undermine the quality of life and lead to discontent among the most vulnerable populations ( 17 , 19 ). Especially among young people, inequality diminishes the possibilities to participate in society and to manage the transition to adulthood successfully, i.e., reaching their full potential and ultimately contributing to the improvement of society ( 1 , 20 ). Thereby, social inequality allows for the violation of adolescents’ rights, especially in families with low SES ( 21 ).…”