The role of social support in reducing the impact of violence on adolescents’ mental health in São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

Objectives We investigated whether perceived social support among adolescent students moderated the association between violence exposure and internalising symptoms in São Paulo city, Brazil. Methods We tested the stress-buffering model using data from the cross-sectional school-based, survey São Paulo Project on the Social Development of Children and Adolescents. Internalising symptoms were measured using an adapted version of the Social Behaviour Questionnaire; serious victimisation, being bullied once/week, school violence and community violence, friend and teacher support were scales adapted by the research team; the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire measured parenting style. Linear mixed-effects models were used to quantify moderation effects of (i) social support between violence exposure and internalising symptoms and (ii) gender between violence exposure and internalising symptoms across schools. Results Across schools, being bullied once/week, school violence, and community violence were associated with a significant (p<0.001) increase in internalising symptoms (e.g., bullied b = 5.76, 95% CI 2.26, 9.26; school violence b = 0.48, 95% CI 0.30, 0.67; community violence b = 0.36; 95% CI 0.22, 0.50). Males exposed to all types of violence had significantly lower (p<0.01) internalising symptoms compared to females (e.g., serious victimisation: b = -1.45; 95% CI -2.60, -0.29; school violence b = -0.27; 95% CI -0.30, -0.24; community violence b = -0.23; 95% CI -0.25, -0.20). As a main effect, social support was associated with a significant (p<0.01) decrease in internalising symptoms across schools (e.g., positive parenting b = -2.42; 95% CI -3.12, -1.72; parent involvement b = -2.75; 95% CI -3.32, -2.17; friend support b = -1.05; 95% CI -1.74, -0.34; teacher support b = -0.90; 95% CI -1.58, -0.22). Social support did not moderate the association between violence exposure and internalising symptoms. Conclusions Adolescent students in São Paulo exposed to violence have a higher likelihood of internalising symptoms, compared to those who are not. Support from parents, friends, and teachers, independent of violence, appear to be protective against internalising symptoms, pointing to potential programmes that could improve adolescent mental health.

Prosocial Behaviours and Resilience in School Coexistence: Implications of Creative Self-Efficacy and Stress in Adolescents

“…This is a positive finding, as previous studies indicate that exposure to violence results in mental health problems [4]. In addition, a high level of prosocial behaviour is related to lower depression, and a positive environment supports young people's wellbeing [2,27]. On the other hand, in relation to creative self-efficacy, this hypothesis was not accepted, because no significant differences with school violence roles were obtained.…”

“…Adolescence is one of the most sensitive stages in an individual's life, as it is characterised by multiple changes and challenges in moving from childhood to adulthood [1]. Within this period, social support and positive peer and family relationships are essential for a positive social environment that supports young people's well-being [2]. One of the most relevant problems today is violence experienced by adolescents in schools, due to the serious damage it entails in adulthood [3].…”

The Prevalence and Risk Factors of Autistic Experiences of Interpersonal Violence: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Speci c challenges identi ed in our review relate to socio-communicative functioning (i.e., di culty forming and maintaining quality social relationships 73,74,[77][78][79][80] , impairment in social communication 72,86 ) and reduced risk awareness, demonstrated by a lack of sexual knowledge 5 and diminished likelihood of telling a caregiver or authority about abuse 75 . This suggests that autistic people may be vulnerable due to a lack of or poor-quality social relationships which may buffer against the risk and effects of violence 108,109 , and a reduced ability to discriminate safe from unsafe situations 36 . Importantly, autism-related factors may not only increase vulnerability towards violence, but they may also constitute barriers in disclosing abuse experiences and accessing adequate support, treatment, or justice.…”

Preconception Care Interventions for Adolescents and Young Adults to Prevent Adverse Maternal and Child Health Outcomes: Protocol for an Evidence Gap Map

“…These programs have also contributed to alleviating issues faced due to poverty and low socioeconomic status and have helped reduce the risk of infant mortality, preterm, LBW, and SGA babies [33]. These interventions have also contributed to reducing the risk of psychosocial stressors, incidence of domestic and sexual abuse, female genital mutilation, and substance abuse among adolescents [34,36]. Despite all the identified interventions in preconception care, the target of positive health outcomes in adolescents and their children has not yet been achieved.…”