Theorizing pathways to resilience among orphaned adolescents in institutional care in India

Abstract

De-institutionalization and a transition to family-based alternatives have long been the answers to all issues raised against residential care of at-risk children by child welfare advocates in India. Despite the innumerable developmental benefits of family-based substitute care, complete eradication of child-care institutions from the national scenario has multiple practical constraints. Given these limitations, building resilience among institutionalized children has been considered a worthier goal for intervention. Unfortunately, the area has not received much attention, and only limited investigations have targeted this sub-set of the population. This grounded theory study aimed to theorize pathways through which orphaned adolescents within institutional care navigate to achieve positive adaptation. Purposive sampling resulted in interviews with 28 adolescents (16 males and 12 females) between 14 and 23 years old. Findings reveal that a desire to break through adversity was found to be at the core for enhancing the protective value of resources encountered post-institutional admission. This desire was found to be a direct consequence of an adversity struck childhood, and in conjunction with environmental resources, it was found to exert its protective influence in both initially maintaining children at the institution as well as in their long-term adjustment. These findings are significant as prior research has not focused on exploring the protective route fostering positive outcomes among institutionalized adolescents. It is concluded that given specific reforms, institutional care holds the potential to offer just what the at-risk residents desire when other options are unfeasible.