Abstract

PARRA, Ana Carolina de Oliveira; OLIVEIRA, Jaqueline Alves de  and  MATURANA, Ana Paula Moraes. The paradox of child institutionalization: protection or risk? . Psicol. rev. (Belo Horizonte) [online]. 2019, vol.25, n.1, pp. 155-175. ISSN 1677-1168.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5752/P.1678-9563.2019v25n1p155-175.

Since the mid-twentieth century, the debate about the effects of children institutionalization has been on the spot. The institutional shelter has been getting into a paradoxical relationship between protection and risk and may be understood as either a facilitator or an impediment to children’s development. Thus, the objectives of this study are to (1) review scientific literature on child institutionalization, debating the benefits and effects of institutionalization on children’s and adolescents’ development; (2) understand how the articles analyzed identify possible risk and protection factors. Concerning methodology, we carried out a literature review using the descriptors "shelter"; "child institutionalization"; "risk factors and protective factors"; "prolonged shelter"; "bond"; "attachment"; "shelter". As a result, eleven articles were selected. Result analysis pointed out that although the shelter is a place for refuge, care and protection, one should be aware of the risk factors and the negative impact of institutionalization. It concludes that institutionalization is necessary in some cases, and it should occur with quality and responsibility together with the families and with the support of public policies.

Keywords : Institutionalization child; Risk; Protection.

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