Children and adolescents in social vulnerability: well-being, mental health and participation in education

Objective: To analyze the life condition of families in social vulnerability and their potential relation with well being, mental health and the participation and school performance of children and adolescents. Method: Mixed-method study which used a sociodemographic questionnaire, narrated body maps and semi-structured interviews for data collection. Data was collected at one of the units of the Services for Coexistence and Strengthening of Bonds of the Secretary of Social Assistance of the city of Ribeirao Preto. The children and adolescents attending the service, their teachers, family members and the local coordinator participated in the study. Quantitative statistical analysis was performed with IBM SPSS Statistic version 24.0 program, qualitative assessment was performed through content analysis. Results: It was possible through the interviews and the physical maps to identify emotional suffering on the part of the children and adolescents, however, great difficulty in the perception of such state was noticed, which does not receive due attention from parents and teachers. The study also shows the impairment in the educational performance of children and adolescents due to factors mainly related to the culture of exclusion, lack of family encouragement, and the lack of preparation both from school and teachers to work with such population and their reality. Conclusion: There is a need for greater attention to vulnerable social groups through the formulation and implementation of public policies, social development programs and effective actions by the State and civil society.