Protective and Risk Factors during the Transition to Adulthood in the Five Brazilian Regions

Abstract

This study aimed to characterize Brazilian emerging adults in the five regions of the country, considering demographic, labor and educational variables; investigate associations between protective factors (connection with family and educational institution) and risk (stressful events) with self-esteem and self-efficacy. It is a descriptive exploratory cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 1996 participants aged between 18 and 29 years. There were positive associations between connection with the family and self-efficacy and positive self-esteem, and negative associations with negative self-esteem. The stressful events were negatively associated with self-efficacy and not correlated with self-esteem. These findings indicate the influence of protective factors and risk on the self-efficacy and self-esteem of emerging adults in the five Brazilian regions. It emphasizes the family and educational institutions as protective spaces in promoting the development of young people in transition to adulthood, particularly in regions with the most prominent problems of access to education and work.