Stress, Crisis, and Trauma for Brazilian Youth and Their Families

Psychological tension is an inherent part of the developmental tasks adolescents face. Development of the body and mind creates a context that is marked by massive changes and often worry. To understand the impact of stress, crisis, and trauma on Brazilian adolescent development, this chapter will use the bioecological theory of human development to help articulate the interplay between context and development. At each level of the bioecological model, proposed by Bronfenbrenner, aspects of Brazilian contexts and institutions will be presented, such as healthcare system, educational environment, and family culture. Risk and protective factors were mapped based on participatory research and intervention experiences in a vulnerable neighborhood located in southern Brazil. The bioecological understanding, especially for people living in vulnerable situations, allows investigating development as a dynamic phenomenon, considering that each context has unique characteristics. Research conducted in context enables the detection of risk factors but also grounds the perspective of protective factors in the community. Protective factors developed with the community improve interventions and public policies in accordance with people’s needs.