Suicidal Ideation and Resilience Among Orphan and Non-orphan Adolescents in the Indian City of Pune.

Abstract

Background: Fostering a healthy upbringing is of utmost importance to an individual and a supportive family system helps them grow holistically. Adolescence is an important stage for an individual to grow and form strong bonds with their peers.

Purpose: The objective of the current study was to ascertain the level of self-esteem, resilience and suicidal ideation among orphan and non-orphan adolescents. Gender differences in self-esteem, resilience and suicidal ideation were also studied.

Method: A sample of 160 adolescents (80 orphan and 80 non-orphan adolescents) comprising of equal number of male and female participants in the age group of 15-18 years were included in the study. Data was collected from adolescent orphans and non-orphans going to government schools in the urban sector in Pune, Maharashtra.

Results: Means, S. Ds, Pearson's correlation and t-test were calculated: Mean resilience score was found to be significantly (P = .048) higher among orphans (129.73 + 29.53) as compared to non-orphans (120.39 + 29.70). Mean self-esteem and suicidal ideation did not vary significantly among orphans and non-orphans. The mean self-esteem score was significantly higher (P = .048) among females (27.61 + 4.09) as compared to males (26.43 + 3.41). There was no significant gender difference in resilience and suicidal ideation scores. The high resilience scores emphasise the need to study ways to enhance well-being among both orphans and non-orphan adolescents to foster a healthy fulfilling upbringing.

Conclusion: The study goes on to show that a similar upbringing would foster similar results in individuals, irrespective of their backgrounds. Since self-esteem and suicidal ideation are similar among orphans and non-orphans, further research would help identify the various factors that foster self-esteem and resilience among these adolescents and likewise plan interventions in the future.