Mediations between Armed Violence, Subjective Well-Being, and Child Health in Peripheral Territories: A Study on the Daily Lives and Living Conditions of Children and Adolescents in Maré, Rio De Janeiro

This study aims to analyse the impacts of armed violence on subjective well-being and socioemotional child health in peripheral territories, focusing on the living conditions of children and adolescents in the Maré favela complex, Rio de Janeiro. The research draws on four focus groups involving different age groups of children and young people residing in these areas: children aged 4 to 5, children aged 12 to 14, adolescents aged 15 to 17, and young adults aged 18 to 20. These age groups were selected to capture how armed violence affects individuals at different stages of development, both in terms of physical and mental well-being and their perceptions of safety, health, and the future. Preliminary findings reveal that even at very young ages, there is already a diffuse sense of fear and insecurity that affects emotional and cognitive development. Older children express feelings of anxiety and frustration, often related to frequent shootouts and the loss of close family members or friends. Young people, in turn, reported a broader range of strategies for resilience and resistance, but also exhibited signs of social and psychological distress, particularly linked to social isolation and the difficulty of planning for the future in a violence-ridden environment. Data from the focus groups will be triangulated with qualitative interviews and quantitative analyses on mental health, subjective well-being, and exposure to violence, allowing for a deeper understanding of the psychosocial impacts faced by these young individuals. By highlighting the consequences of armed violence on childhood and youth in peripheral contexts, the study aims to contribute to the formulation of targeted public policies to mitigate the effects of violence on vulnerable populations, especially children, adolescents, and young adults.