Psychosocial Determinants of Dalit Identity: Evidence from Dalit Women of Tamilnadu in South India

Abstract

Conceptualizing within the identity mediated psychosocial perspective of social exclusion, the present study examined the influence of stigma, discrimination, psychosqcial disability and quality of social life on Dalit women's social identity. Using explanatory research design, 301 Dalit women were selected using probability sampling procedure. The variables of interest were measured using psychometrically standardized scales and data were analyzed using multivariate regression procedure. Results reveal that socio‐demographic variables such as education (β=.175), rural residence (β=.142), working hours per day (β= -.404) and income per month (β=.090) have significantly influenced social identity. Negative self image (β= -.320), positive self esteem (β=-.263), social discrimination (β= -.263), relationship with colleagues (β=.184), access to, and availability of medical and other facilities (β= -.207) in society have significantly predicted social identity. Regression coefficient shows an overall variance of 54.9% ( R2=0.549) on Dalit women's positive social identity perceptions. The study concludes that aspects of stigma, discrimination, self esteem and social life have substantial influence on Dalit women's identity construction.