Adolescentes, violência e interações sociais

Abstract

Introduction: Violence among adolescents is a worldwide and Brazilian concern. Considering the complexity of factors involved in this context, expanding the studies on this phenomenon is an urgency, to enable the construction of effective measures to reduce it. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the profile of violence among adolescents according to the relationships they establish in families and school. Methods: The method consisted of a structured interview using self-applied questionnaires of adolescents in public and private schools of Belo Horizonte. There were 1.187 adolescents in the study. A descriptive analysis with frequency distribution and bivariate analysis using Peirce’s chi-square test was carried out. The degree of association between variables was estimated based on the odds ratio at a 95% confidence interval and 5% significance. Results: The results showed that adolescents that are welcomed and well-treated in their family and educational relationships are less prone to violence compared to those experiencing conflicts and violence in their relationships. Conclusions: It was identified that the main influencers of adolescent behavior and development are family and school, and that the present functioning of these institutions has contributed to the maintenance of the growing relationship between the adolescent and the violent act. However, these same institutions have the potential to reduce this behavior, through a more effective relationship with adolescents, allowing them to emit healthy responses to the processes of development that they experience.