This study examined family strengths of disadvantaged adolescents that may serve as buffers against the adversities of everyday life in rural India. Two hundred adolescents & their families belonging to Scheduled Tribe (ST) & Scheduled Caste (SC) groups in Orissa State were selected as participants. Within these families, 100 adolescents were identified as invulnerable (ie, disadvantaged competent), & another 100 as vulnerable on the basis of peer & teacher nominations. Demographically, families of the vulnerable & invulnerable adolescents were similar. However, there were a number of significant differences between the vulnerable & invulnerable adolescents with regard to their perceptions of their families & general living environment, as well as their own social & academic competencies. The findings shed light on a variety of risk factors inherent to the disadvantaged incompetent group. The results also highlight the importance of particular family & community protective factors that may promote successful development in adolescents reared in extremely resource limited rural families in India.
