Indian Journal of Health and Wellbeing

Kochakadan Joy Lijo ¹, Narayanan Annalakshmi ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Ernakulam, Kerala, IN
2 Department of Psychology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

The present study involved developing a positive psychological intervention program for fostering selected positive psychological strengths and examining its efficacy in improving resilience among institutionalized adolescents at risk for developmental adaptation using a pre-post-follow-up control group design. The sample included 45 institutional adolescents (Males=22, Females=23) in the experimental group and 45 (Males=22, Females=23) in the control group. The intervention focused on improving probabilistic orientation, gratitude, and forgiveness using different methods of delivery including conceptual teaching, storytelling, exercises and loving-kindness meditation. The intervention was delivered in nine sessions spread over eight weeks. Self-reported measures of probabilistic orientation, forgiveness, forgiveness likelihood, gratitude, and resilience were used to evaluate the efficacy of the intervention. Academic achievement, an objective measure obtained from the school records was also included to assess the efficacy of the intervention. ANCOVA, ANOVA, and Student's t-test were used to analyze the data. The findings suggest that the evidence-based positive intervention had improved the probabilistic orientation, forgiveness, and gratitude of the institutionalized adolescents. Further, the intervention is found to have resulted in the enhancement of resilience, academic achievement, as well as the overall well-being of the participants. The findings confirm that enriching the inner protectors of the adolescents at-risk may be effective in enhancing their developmental adaptation and well-being thanks to the interaction between the protectors and the risk factors in the environment.

Keywords

Resilience, Forgiveness, Gratitude, Probabilistic Orientation.

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Narayanan Annalakshmi ¹, Murugesan Venkatesan ²

Affiliations
1 Department ofPsyehology Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, IN
2 Indian Institute ofForeign Trade Deemed to be University, New Delhi

Abstract

The present study attempts to examine the types of discrimination experienced by students in higher education and the relationship between discrimination and psychological factors. The sample consists of 1645 students pursuing undergraduate, postgraduate and research programs in colleges and university in a mid-sized city in south India. The age of the sample ranged trom 18to 40 years. The participants completed self-report measures of discrimination, John Henryism, general self-elficacy, familialism, intentions to persist, state-trait anxiety, and physical symptoms. A couple of open-ended items to capture specific discriminatory experiences of students were also included in discrimination scale. ANOVA and regressions were carried out to analyze the quantitative data, and thematic analysis was done on the qualitative data. The findings show that male students reported higher discrimination from peer and teachers compared to female students. Perceived discrimination positively predicted intention to persist, John Henryism, state anxiety, trait anxiety, and physical symptoms but negatively predicted self-elficacy among students. Self-efficacy mediated the association between discrimination and state anxiety. Familialism mediated the relationship between discrimination and John Henryism. The first-generation and continuing-generation students did not differ with regard to peer discrimination. However, continuing-generation students reported higher levels of teacher discrimination compared to first-generation students. Qualitative data suggest that first-generation students experienced discrimination, domination, social exclusion, social comparisons and bullying. The findings highlight the urgent need to address issues of discrimination among students in higher education.

Keywords

Discrimination, First-Generation, Anxiety, Familialism, Self-Efficacy, Active Coping.

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Narayanan Annalakshmi ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, Bharathiar University , Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

Adolescence is a stage of rapid psychosocial development that poses challenges to adaptation in those who lack the resources needed for adaptation. The adolescents from low socioeconomic rural backgrounds are at increased risk for psychosocial development. The risk factors, along with protective factors existing at multiple social-ecological levels, are critical in shaping the resilience of these adolescents. The present study examines the effect of multiple-level systems, viz., individual, family , school, extended family , neighborhood, social services, local policies, and mass media in contributing to psychological resilience among adolescents at-risk for healthy psychological development. A sample of 2010 adolescent students between 12 and 18 years of age from low SES studying in rural government schools who were recruited from nine schools to participate in this study completed a survey on protective factors and resilience. Interviews with parents, teachers, head teachers, district educational officers, personnel from NGOs, and media were conducted to understand the risk factors that thwart healthy development among rural adolescents. A series of one-way ANOV As and regression were employed to examine the effect of gender, areas of residence, and religion on protective factors. Interviews were content analyzed to understand the risk factors present in the lives of these adolescents studying in rural schools from low SES families. Adolescent girls, rural students, and those from religious minority groups endorsed lesser protective factors compared to their counterparts. Interview data revealed a lack of standardized procedures to identify vulnerable students, limited interaction between parents and school, and a restricted role played by NGOs and media in promoting resilience among young students. The findings have implications for future research, practice, and policy concerning adolescents at-risk.

Keywords

Resilience, Gender, Rural, Protective Factor , Risk Factor.

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