Abstract versus Concrete Goals: Personal Striving Level, Physical Illness, and Psychological Well-being
Author(s)
Emmons, Robert A.
Abstract
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.
