This research was carried out at an institution for the attendance of adolescents under personal and social risk, with ages ranging from 10 to 18 years, through the participative observation in two groups of approximately 20 participants, along a seven-month period. Considering the results and through discussion, the aim of this research is to show the changes in the interactive dynamics of those adolescents, among themselves and among the educators, in relation to two categories: kinds of interaction and conceptions about risk-protection, self-image, life projects and constructed personal resources. The ecological model of human development and the multifactorial model of risk were chosen for the understanding of the synergistic and bi-directional processes of co-construction and co-regulation. The results reveal significant changes following such an intervention, and a positive direction towards the adolescents' developmental process. Emphasis is given to the importance of improving and creating spaces where adolescents can live together, sharing experiences and engaging in pro-social actions so that they can find alternative paths in their risk trajectories.
Adolescence; risk-protection; life trajectories