Introduction:
Preadolescence is a stage of development preceding adolescence, commonly ends with the beginning of puberty and usually considered from 8 years to 12 years of age. It is the period when children would have maximum self-esteem as it is considered the beginning of puberty with several factors including biological, psychological and social change. Poor quality of home environment, absence of significant people in life and poor socioeconomic status leading to compromising facilities can have a negative impact on self-esteem(1). It is important to have a healthy environment during childhood and adolescence as it acts as a precursor for better temperament and emotional regulation(2).
Children homes or foster homes are considered not to have the same impact as living with family does. The greatest unmet health need for children and teens in foster care are mental and behavioural health needs(3). Children in institutional care are at risk for mental health problems as they have high rates of difficult childhood experiences leading to need for expanded intervention research (4). Non-medical treatment methods are better in order to overcome their trauma through non- formal education, vocational training to regular counseling for the juveniles by the observation homes. As per the Juvenile Justice Act & amendment (Care and Protection of Children), the transformation of children’s jail into child-friendly homes in Kerala is the first attempt of its kind in India(5).
Self-esteem is defined as having confidence in one’s own ability to be successful, what others feel about oneself and what one feels about oneself. Creemers et al studied on damaged self-esteem and its association with internalizing problems and the results support that specifically damaged self-esteem is an important vulnerability marker for depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation, and loneliness(6).
Achievement motivation is defined as one’s motivation to plan and achieve their goal and is considered as an important concept, which significantly affects one’s performance and success. There is significant relationship between self-esteem and achievement motivation (7). However, in delinquents, self esteem seemed to be high even if their achievement motivation is low (8). Children in underprivileged circumstances are not well analyzed in these areas.
In 2007 Simmel studied about risk and protective factors contributing to the longitudinal psychosocial well being of adopted foster children(9). He stated that behaviour problems of preadolescents remained stable across the life time and in such children strongest risk factors included trauma, abuse and thus self- neglect. The children in unprivileged status including children homes, observational homes and foster homes are likely to develop emotional dysregulation and poor control over life which can easily lead to both internalizing and externalizing behaviours. It is clear that children who were taken care by parents and in a family and those who are reared in institutions have significant differences in terms of self-concept, achievement, deviant behaviors, personality traits and the ability to handle neglect (10). These studies pave light for the need of psychological help to be provided for such children in children homes in order to enhance their self-esteem and achievement motivation and make them better in terms of control over their life and values.
Method
Aim and Objectives
- To find out the association between self-esteem and achievement motivation in preadolescents in children homes.
- To understand the nature and effect of psychological help being provided in children homes.
- To understand the psychological help seeking behaviour among children in children homes.
Materials and Methods
A cross sectional survey method was implemented in this study with the purpose of assessing the psychological help, self-esteem and achievement motivation among preadolescents in Government Children homes. The samples were collected from Government Children homes which are undertaken by Justice Juvenile Board, Ernakulam. Random sampling techniques were employed for selecting the sample. Inclusion criteria for the study were regular school going children of age ranging from 8 years and below 12 years (11) with average intellectual capacity and those who are staying in children’s home for at least 4 months continuously.
Forty nine children (28 boys and 21 girls) in the age range of 8 to 12 years were selected for screening from the register maintained at the Children Homes. Out of 49, 14 children were found to have definitely below average intellectual capacity, 3 were found to have Chicken Pox during screening and 2 didn’t turn up for the screening, for unknown reasons and were excluded from the study. The final sample for the study consisted of 30 children who were having average intellectual capacity (15 boys and 15 girls). The study was approved by the IEC (Institutional Ethical Committee) of Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences. Informed consent was received both from the child and his/her caretaker before the conduct of study. Extensive debriefing was given to participants and their care takers. Confidentiality was assured to the participants. Any emotional impacts on participants while interviewing about emotionally sensitive topics were handled carefully by the investigator. The self-report questionnaires along with prepared semi structured interview scale were administered to the subjects and qualitative and quantitative analysis were done to interpret the data. Scales were administered to each child separately without the presence of caretaker. Statistical Analysis was done using IBM SPSS statistics 20 windows (SPSS Inc., Chicago, USA).
Semi structured interview:
It comprises of socio-demographic details: age, gender, education, birth order, family details including family genogram, psychiatric and medical history in the family, interpersonal relationship in the family, status of parents etc., duration and reason for the stay in children’s home, with whose assistance they were brought to such homes, and whether they were getting bullied over there. The semi structured interview also included questions to know about what types of psychological help were received by the children in terms of tuition teacher facility, counselor’s service, visitors, phone call facilities, and how they were generally been helped in these centers. Their satisfaction level and general concerns were also included in the semi-structured interview schedule.
Coloured Progressive Matrices (CPM):
Progressive Matrices is a leading global non-verbal and culture free test to measure mental ability, with reliability of r=0.56. Chronbach alpha of values ranged between 0.64 and 0.89. This test was used to screen the level of intellectual capacity of children, so that the exclusion criteria can be met.
Self Esteem Inventory (SEI):
In the current study, this scale measured levels of self-esteem, originally developed by Coppersmith (1987) (12). It was translated to vernacular language by Dr. Immanuel Thomas with Test retest reliabilities of .88 to .70.
Achievement Motivation Inventory:
This inventory was used to measures the achievement motivation of children. This inventory was developed by Dr. Immanuel Thomas and Muthee J M in 2009(13), with Chronbach of 0.749.
Results
Data was obtained from 30 school going preadolescents with average intellectual capacity who were taken care by Government Children Homes in Ernakulam District. Obtained data were computer analyzed. The distribution of the sample and their sociodemographic details are shown in Table 1 and frequency distribution of availing services is given in Table 2.
| Table 1: Frequency distribution of socio-demographic variables |
Variables |
Number |
Percentage |
Age |
8 years |
8 |
26.7 |
9 years |
10 |
33.3 |
10 years |
6 |
20.0 |
11 years |
6 |
20.0 |
Gender |
Male |
15 |
50 |
Female |
15 |
50 |
Duration of stay |
4-6 months |
7 |
23.3 |
7-9 months |
10 |
33.3 |
10-12 months |
5 |
16.7 |
13-24 months |
6 |
20 |
25-36 months |
2 |
6.7 |
How were they brought |
Criminal case |
2 |
6.7 |
Orphan |
3 |
10.0 |
Wandering |
5 |
16.7 |
Abuse |
3 |
10.0 |
Poor economic status |
13 |
43.3 |
Bullying |
3 |
10.0 |
Others |
1 |
3.3 |
Parents status |
Both alive |
8 |
26.7 |
Not alive |
3 |
10.0 |
Don’t know |
3 |
10.0 |
Single parent |
5 |
16.7 |
Death of one parent |
11 |
36.7 |
| Table 2: Frequency distribution of availing services |
Variable |
Number |
Percentage |
Medical Doctor visit |
Weekly |
9 |
30.0 |
Monthly |
16 |
53.3 |
Not visiting |
5 |
16.7 |
Tuition teacher service |
Yes |
26 |
86.7 |
No |
4 |
13.3 |
Counselor service |
Weekly |
14 |
46.7 |
Monthly |
12 |
40.0 |
No |
4 |
13.3 |
Correlation between self-esteem and achievement motivation among preadolescents in children’s home is shown in Table 3. Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.421 and corresponding p-value was 0.020, indicating a statistically significant positive correlation between self-esteem and achievement motivation.
| Table 3: Correlation between self-esteem and achievement motivation |
Variable |
n |
Achievement motivation |
P- value |
Correlation coefficient |
Self esteem |
30
|
0.421 |
0.020 |
The next objective of the study was to understand the nature of psychological help being provided in children homes. These concerns were addressed in the form of semi-structured interview which was done individually with each child. It was found that more psychological help has to be given to children in order to improve their self esteem and therefore psychological well being. As most of the children reported to have significant self esteem issues, more qualified group of mental health professionals have to be included in the management. Open coding was done from the children’s responses and the observations made.
Out of 30 children who were receiving psychological treatment, two children had received psychological help in the past, one received psychiatric treatment and four children were receiving psychological help at present.
On qualitative analysis the major problems analyzed were
- Common distresses they have in children’s homes
- Nature of psychological help the children seek in general
- Nature of help received from warden when approached
- The effect of counselor service in the children’s home
The main themes which evolved about the understanding of the psychological help were ‘need for more leisure’, ‘bullying’, ‘out grouping’, ‘independence’ and ‘dependability’. In leisure theme, the participants responded that they would benefit from more leisure time in the play area, as they could make more friends. This would help them in getting connected and competitive during this age and failure of which can cause disappointment and frustration (Table 4).
| Table 4: Common themes and sub themes evolved from qualitative analysis |
Common theme |
Formulated sub themes |
Common distress children having in children’s homes |
Poor and inadequate leisure activities |
Bullying received from elder inmates |
Out grouping when they have emotional issues |
Less freedom in decision making |
Nature of psychological help children seek |
Need to be empathized |
Need safety and security feeling |
Connectedness and group efforts |
Friendly atmosphere |
Immediate addressing of grievances |
Availability of support – physical and emotional- when needed |
Nature of help received when approached |
Academic help |
Rescue from bullying |
Facility to get connect with close ones |
Listening to what child says |
Medical assistance |
The effect of counselor service in the children’s home |
Empathizing |
Goal orientation |
Advises and suggestions |
Majority of the children reported that they experience ‘bullying’ and find it as the worst experience in the children home. The major responses were ‘elder inmates bullies them when asked for some help’, ‘they are bullied if they are found to have visited the counselor’.
Most participants reported having no group activity or sense of connectedness. There were lot of gangs and sub gangs among children and those children with homesickness and emotional tantrums were out grouped from the whole. Children stopped going to counselor as others started to avoid them when they sought help from the counselor. Statements like ‘elderly sisters will tease us if we cry to go home’, ‘friends won’t let me be in the game if I had become late after coming from the counselor’ states less connectedness and group concerns among the children. Other subtheme evolved was the less freedom and independence.
Overall analysis of the responses regarding the nature of psychological help children generally seek, the subthemes include the ‘need to be empathized’, ‘safety and security feeling’, ‘connectedness and group efforts’, ‘enhancing friendly atmosphere’, ‘addressing the grievances immediately and the availability of physical and emotional support when needed’.
The types of help children generally received when approached from warden or caretakers were academic help, medical assistance, rescue from bullying, facility to get connected with close ones (through phones and visits) as well as lending ears to children. Majority of the children have reported that they receive adequate medical assistance. Academic help is offered in most of the institutions with the help of tuition teacher. Other psychosocial support received were the facility to call parents, to receive calls and to have the facility to meet visitors.
Children have reported that they have found it helpful in getting suggestions from the counselor but availability of the one counsellor to hear to their grievances was not satisfactory enough to handle the problems these children were encountering.
Discussion
Preadolescence is the stage where children perform the best, prior to puberty. Self-esteem has been considered an essential component of good mental health and very important when it comes to children from underprivileged circumstances (14). Achievement motivation is another factor which refers to the desire to excel and accomplish something difficult. This study attempted to understand the role of self-esteem and achievement motivation, and nature of psychological help of children in children homes. The study also aims at understanding the role of gender on level of self-esteem and achievement motivation. According to the data, majority of the children were in 9 years and most of them were second born. According to Kale, a gradual development in self-esteem occurs by the end of preadolescents(15). Majority of children have been staying there for 7-9 months, who were brought by Police mainly with reason of poor socioeconomic status and the second main reason was being homeless. Hawker and Bolten in their study have found out similar finding that poor economic status and ridicule by peers lead to low self-esteem and achievement goals(16). Majority of them were aware of the status of their parents, whether they were alive or not. Sekar has suggested that children from difficult circumstances are prone to emotional maladjustment and poor sense of self-worth (17).
Relationship between self-esteem and achievement motivation
Current study shows that when the self-esteem increases, achievement motivation also increases in preadolescents. This was the same finding by Rahmani who stated the positive correlation between self-esteem, achievement motivation and academic goals(18).
Gender difference in self esteem and achievement motivation
In the current study, there is no significant difference in self-esteem according to difference in gender. This is contradicting many studies which indicate there is significant difference in self-esteem according to gender. Gabriel and Gardner found no significant relationship between self-esteem among girls and boys. In this study, there is no significant difference in achievement motivation according to difference in gender. There are inconsistent findings when comes to the research done examining gender differences in achievement motivation. Ligon found no gender differences among the constructs related to achievement motivation (19).
Self-esteem, achievement motivation and sociodemographic variables
There is no statistically significant difference in self-esteem and achievement motivation score among age, birth order, education, duration of stay in children homes, reasons for being in the children homes and sources brought children to children homes. There is no statistically significant difference in self-esteem among the availability of doctor, tuition teacher and counselor. There is no significant difference among the facility to talk to warden, make phone calls and the provision of having visitors (20).
Modes of Psychosocial support being provided
Majority of the children reported that they get monthly service of doctors and avail the counselor service on weekly basis. The facility to call was given as weekly basis; however most of the children are not using that facility. Majority of the children were allowed to meet visitors in children homes on monthly basis. However there are equal provisions for weekly visits as well as visits as needed(21).
Nature and effect of psychological help provided- Qualitative Analysis
The interventional programme in children homes in Kerala were limited due to stigma associated, ineffective services etc. This lightened the scope for introducing new intervention strategies and to improve the current psychological support being provided. Children at this age lacking proper parenting, at least through caretakers, are at the risk of developing internalizing and externalizing disorders. Roslyn examined the relationship between parental monitoring, self-esteem and delinquency and found that poor parental monitoring was negatively associated with delinquency and poor self-esteem positively correlated with delinquency(22).
Conclusion
From the current study, it has been found out that, the modes of psychological help was very limited -a doctor visit, service of counselor and tuition teacher along with the facility to talk to warden. However the satisfaction level of children was reported to be low. There is a significant positive correlation between self-esteem and achievement motivation in preadolescents in children homes. There is no significant difference based on gender difference on self-esteem and achievement motivation among boys and girls.
Implications of the study
The aim of the study was to understand the relationship between self-esteem and achievement motivation, and to understand the nature and mode of psychological help being provided in unprivileged settings among preadolescents in children homes. There are studies analyzing the reasons for poor quality of foster homes, however there are fewer studies in terms of understanding the nature of psychological help being provided for such children. Therefore the findings of this study could be used as a ground work for more research in this area. Analyzing the modes of psychological help can always have scope for tailoring new modes of psychological help, which would be effective and beneficial. Hence it is time to intervene the children in children homes. Few recommendations could be made in the authority level and qualified and experienced counselors/psychologist can be included to provide the psychological help on regular basis.
Limitations of the study
Sampling was purposive and thus non-randomized. The difficulty in collecting samples from observation homes due to legal complications limited the scope of the study. The small sample size had its limitations on statistical analysis. A bigger sample size would have given a better prediction of variable and factors affecting the variables.
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