Adolescents’ Mental Health in Social Vulnerability: An Integrative Literature Review

Abstract

Adolescence is a phase of intense transformation and vulnerability during which individual, family, and social factors directly influence mental health. This study aimed to analyze, through an integrative review, the risk factors, protective factors, and intervention strategies related to the mental health of adolescents in situations of social vulnerability. Searches were conducted in the PubMed, SciELO, ScienceDirect, and BVS databases, considering publications between 2020 and 2025. Of the 68 studies initially identified, 12 were included after applying the eligibility criteria following the PRISMA model, ensuring methodological rigor and consistency in selection. The findings indicate that the main risk factors include family adversities, low self-esteem, poverty, violence, and school exclusion, which favor anxious and depressive symptoms as well as self-destructive behaviors. Conversely, protective factors involve affective bonds, community support, participation in cultural and sports activities, and access to basic services, promoting resilience and psychological well-being. The most effective interventions are interdisciplinary, integrating health, education, and social assistance, with emphasis on participatory approaches that strengthen socioemotional skills. The results show that the mental health of adolescents in social vulnerability depends on the integration among family, school, and community, reinforcing the importance of strengthening support networks and public policies to promote healthy development and reduce the effects of social inequalities.