Impact of Welfare Schemes and Gender on Mental Health and Emotional Intelligence Among Maoist Conflict Exposed Youth:Implication for Psychological Intervention

Exposure to unending Maoist violence and uncertain course of life can generate long-lasting effects on emotional and mental health of young population. Present research was an attempt to explicate the current status of mental health and emotional intelligence among youth of Maoist conflict affected districts of Chhattisgarh state and to compare these with youth from main stream. The main objectives of the study were (Anderson, 2014). To investigate the effect of gender and welfare schemes on the mental health of youth of Maoist conflict exposed regions (Baider et al., 1989). To examine the effect of gender and welfare schemes on emotional intelligence (Barlow, 1985). To study the interaction effect (Basow, 1986). To determine the effectiveness of emotional intelligence training on the mental health. A random sample of 80 youth (40 boys, 40 girls) studying in Prayas, a residential school meant for youth from maoist hit districts, 80 youth (40 boys, 40 girls) from Nishthha, a scheme for youth of maoist violence victim families and 80 youth (40 boys, 40 girls) from main stream were selected. Mean age of the participants were 16.8.Tools used to assess variables under study were the Mental Health Scale by Sharma (1996) and Youth Emotional Intelligence Scale by Ajawani (2008). 40 participants of Nishthha scheme who scored low on mental health scale were randomly assigned in experimental and control group. Only experimental group was given training to enhance mental health through emotional intelligence (10 sessions, 60 minutes; twice a week). Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used for analyzing the data. Two way ANOVA results indicated a significant effect of gender on mental health (F=7.88, p<.05) and on emotional intelligence (F=6.19, p<.05). The findings revealed that boys have higher level of emotional intelligence and mental health than girls. Further, significant effect of various welfare schemes is also found on mental health (F=5.17, p<.05) and on emotional intelligence (F=9.06, p<.05). Youth from mainsteam have shown high level of Emotional Intelligence and Mental Health while Nishthha students were on least level. Interaction effect is not significant for both the variables. There was a significant difference (p<0.001) between experimental and control group in relation to mental health after participation in intervention sessions.