Stressful events, life satisfaction, and positive and negative affect in youth at risk

The aim of this study was to perform a cross-sectional assessment of the relationships between stressful events, life satisfaction, and positive and negative affect experienced by socially vulnerable children and adolescents in Brazil. The sample comprised 1080 youth, aged between 7 and 16 years old, who lived either in a shelter institution or with their families. This sample exhibited characteristics of vulnerability, including low family income, parents’ low educational level and parents’ unemployment. Data revealed differential risk and protective factors associated with various forms of social vulnerability, in which those living with their families experienced fewer stressful events, were more satisfied with their families and with themselves, having also less negative affect and more positive affect when compared to participants that were institutionalized. Institutionalized children and adolescents exhibited a larger number and stronger impact of stressful events, accompanied by higher levels of negative affect compared to those living with their families, yet reporting more life satisfaction thought non-violent behavior. A logistic regression analysis was deployed in order to further establish the impact of institutionalization. Considering altogether, the variables explained 41% of the variance in institutionalization This study suggests the importance of family life for the positive development of children and adolescents, as well as the need to offer a qualified intervention in institutionalizing situations, in order to overcome the vulnerabilities, present in these contexts. © 2019 Elsevier Ltd