ABSTRACT
El objetivo principal de este estudio es analizar los problemas de comportamiento de una muestra de preadolescentes y adolescentes venezolanos institucionalizados (acogimiento residencial), de edades comprendidas entre los 11 y 16 años. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 111 participantes institucionalizados en asociaciones civiles y entidades de protección del Estado y 111 controles igualados, provenientes de colegios tanto públicos como privados o subsidiados. Se evaluaron las habilidades psicosociales y académicas y los problemas de comportamiento internalizados y externalizados reportados por los informes de los padres, los cuidadores y los autoinformes mediante el Youth Self-Report (YSR) y la Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Los resultados del estudio muestran que los niños y adolescentes institucionalizados tienen menores competencias psicosociales y académicas, así como más problemas de comportamiento que los jóvenes que conviven con sus padres. Los padres y cuidadores apreciaron menores diferencias entre ambos grupos.
The main objective of this study is analyze behavior problems of a sample of institutionalized (residential care) Venezuelan tweens and teens, ages between 11 and 16. The sample consisted of 111 participants institutionalized in civil associations and institutions state protection, and 111 matched controls from schools public and private or subsidized. The psychosocial and academic was assessed skills and internalizing and externalizing behavior problems reported by the reports of parents, carers and self reports. The Youth Self-Report (YSR) and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) were completed. The results of the study show that children and adolescents are less institutionalized psychosocial and academic skills, as well as, more externalized behavior problems and internalized self-reported that young people living with their parents. Parents, teachers and caregivers appreciated minor differences between the two groups. Findings obtained support the influence of early deprivation on psychosocial skills, emotional issues and behavioral in children and adolescents. It is considered that institutionalization is a risk factor for the harmonious development of young people.