Ecological contexts: furthering resilience, risk and protection factors

Abstract

This study presents a consolidation of aspects of protection and risk in human development, in several ecological contexts, such as the family, the institution and the school, taken from literature, and relates them to the furtherance of resilience. It also defines the concepts of the resilience process, protective and risk factors and offers considerations about children in risk situations. Urie Bronfenbrenner's bioecological human development theory was used as a theoretical-methodological basis to analyze these contexts and factors of risk and/or protection. This theory addresses the study of development by integrating the understanding of the aspects of people's lives, whether it be the period in which they live, the environments in which they participate or the relationships that are established. Irrespective of the context (family, institution or school), a variety of influences and life events may be classified as risk or as protection. However, this will depend on the quality and existence of emotional and social relationships, of the presence of affection and reciprocity that such environments provide.

Ecological contexts; School; Family; Resilience