Strengthening (PhD) training and research in the field of families, children and adolescents at risk in La Paz (Bolivia). (VLIR226)

Bolivian communities, more specifically urban communities, are confronted with an increase of bio-psycho-social problems in children adolescents and families, due to parental migration, extreme poverty and social exclusion. The current wave of parental migration outside the country has a strong impact on families' and childrens life. A lot of emigrants' children are growing up without adults' protection, control, care and support, and with a lot of social, psychological and school/learning problems. The current lack of knowledge and political and social awareness if the impact of socio-economical risk factors on the bio-psycho-social development of children and adolescents has been recognized as an important factor that inhibits the development and implementation of adequate prevention and intervention activities in poor urban communities. By improving master and doctoral training and research capacity of Bolivian universities, the project aims to offer local organizations and policy makers more knowledge and understanding about the impact of socio-economical risk factors, with the aim to improve the appropriateness of their prevention and intervention work in poor urban communities.

Keywords:clinical psychology

Disciplines:Psychology and cognitive sciences