Adolescence marks a critical developmental stage, characterized by an individual’s increased agency, identity, and vulnerability. Adversity encompasses a range of experiences, including incidents of physical or sexual abuse, traumatic incidents such as loss and bereavement, family stressors, chronic situations like environments of neglect, the experience of bullying or racism, and various inequalities or socio-economic disadvantages. Understanding the impacts of adversity on adolescent development is important for various reasons, including, the need to identify entry points for responsive programs which can ensure that adolescents are safe, healthy, and capable of optimizing their full potential.
The overall aim of this project is to assess the effects of adversity on adolescent development, as well as identify approaches for engaging adolescents faced with adversity. The project also assesses the current efforts and priorities for Whole Child Development (WCD) and engagement of adolescents in adversity, to identify gaps and opportunities for the design and implementation of responsive programmes.
The project is funded by the Porticus Foundation to provide insights on the current efforts and priorities for Whole Child Development (WCD) and engagement of adolescents in adversity, to identify gaps and opportunities for the design and implementation of responsive programmes.