Parenting in Families in Situation of Social Vulnerability in Brazil: Associated Factors

Abstract

The interaction between caregiver characteristics, context, and the child/adolescent determines parenting. The objectives of this study were to examine the associations, identify predictors of parenting, and determine whether parenting predicts developmental outcomes in children/adolescents from socially vulnerable families. The sample consisted of 120 individuals divided into three groups based on different levels of social vulnerability: 60 beneficiaries of the Bolsa Família Program, 30 beneficiaries of Auxílio Emergencial, and 30 non-beneficiaries of either of these programs, but residing in the same communities as the other groups. The instruments used were: Questionnaire for Socioeconomic Characterization and Adverse Events in the Family, Social Support Questionnaire, Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale IV, Child Abuse Potential Inventory, Child Behavior Checklist, and the Parenting Styles Inventory. The results indicated that caregivers' psychological characteristics, child behaviour problems, and social support are the main predictors of parenting. Furthermore, positive parenting styles were associated with lower levels of internalizing and externalizing behaviour problems and higher levels of social competence. The study reinforces the need for interventions that strengthen support for vulnerable families.