Exposição à violência em adolescentes de diferentes contextos: Família e instituições

Abstract

This study verified the frequency of the exposure to domestic and community violence, on 946 adolescents with ages ranging from 12 to 19 years old (M = 15.42; SD = 1.67), who were from different contexts: with their families (G1); young offenders who were deprived of freedom (G2); and adolescents living in shelters (G3). They completed the Brazilian Youth Questionnaire. Findings indicated that adolescents of G3 showed higher levels of exposure to domestic violence and adolescents of G2 were more exposed to community violence. Furthermore, the females were the most frequent victims in all contexts. The importance of preventing the youth exposure to violence is highlighted, as well as promoting interventions with adolescents who live in shelters because this group seems to be the most vulnerable.