Influence of self esteem and socio-emotional adjustment on self-perceived identity and educational aspirations of undergraduate tribal students

Abstract

It is believed that tribes were the original natives and had been long settled in different parts of India before the Indo-Aryans entered and settled down in the Indus Valley. The illiteracy, economic crisis and superstitions have put them at a very backward state - at a level much below the standard maintained by the average. Due to their adherence to customs, symbiotic life and worldviews, the Tribes are disproportionately affected by the colonial culture that still influences the land laws, health care system, and educational system. Studies indicate that sociological and psychological variables influence the academic and life aspiration and hence achievement of tribes. So, the study was conducted on the influence of Self Esteem and Socio-Emotional Adjustment on Self-Perceived Identity and Educational Aspirations of undergraduate tribal students of Kerala. The study was conducted on a total sample of 295 undergraduate tribal students of different districts of Kerala. Random sampling method was used to select the sample giving due representation to gender, type of residence, stream of education and management category of institutions. The tools used for the study were Scale of Self- Perceived Identity, Scale of Educational Aspiration, Scale of Socio-Emotional Adjustment and Self Esteem Inventory. Comparison of Means-Test of significance of difference between means, Correlation Analysis-Pearson’s Product moment Co-efficient of Correlation, Comparison of Correlations, Multiple Regression were the statistical techniques used for the study. The study revealed that there is no significant difference between the mean scores of Tribal Boys and girls, Tribal Students residing in Post Matric Hostels and College Hostels, Tribal Students in different schemes of education and Tribal Students in Government and Private Institutions in their Self Esteem and Socio-Emotional Adjustment.There is significant difference is observed between the mean scores of Tribal Students residing in Post Matric Hostels and College Hostels in their Educational Aspirations and in the case of Self-Perceived Identity there is significant difference between the mean scores of Tribal Students in Management and Humanities Stream of education. For Educational Aspirations, a significant difference at the level of 0.01 is observed between the tribals students in Science and Humanities Stream of education, Language and Humanities Stream of education. The results of the study showed that there is no significant difference between the mean scores of Tribal Students in Government and Private Institutions in their Self-Perceived Identity and Educational Aspirations. The correlation analysis indicates that only for the total sample, for the Tribal Boys, Tribal Students residing at Post Matric Hostels, Tribal Students studying in Humanities Stream and Tribal Students studying in Private Institutionsthe relationship among Self Esteem and Self-Perceived Identity are significant at 0.01 level of significance. The findings indicate that all the correlation coefficients, obtained for the relationship among Self Esteem and Educational Aspirations for the total sample, for the Tribal Girls, Tribal Students residing at Post Matric Hostels, Tribal Students studying in Humanities, Management, Science Streams of education and Tribal Students studying in Government Institutions are significant at 0.01 level of significance and for Tribal Boys and Tribal Students residing at College Hostels are significant at 0.05 level.The findings shows that all the correlation coefficients, obtained for the relationship among Socio-Emotional Adjustment and Self-Perceived Identity for the total sample, for the Tribal Boys and girls, Tribal Students residing at Post Matric Hostels and College Hostels, Tribal Students studying in Humanities, Language, Management and Science Streams of education and Tribal Students studying in Government andPrivate Institutions, a significant relationship is not observed between Socio-Emotional Adjustment and Self-Perceived Identity. In the correlational analysis, the study revealed that all the correlation coefficients, obtained for the relationship among Socio-Emotional Adjustment and Educational Aspirations for total sample, for the Tribal Boys and girls, Tribal Students residing at Post Matric Hostels and College Hostels, Tribal Students studying in Humanities, Language, Management and Science Streams of education and Tribal Students studying in Government and Private Institutions are significant at 0.01 level of significance. The findings based on the test of significance for difference between the correlations for relevant subsamples revealed that there exists no significant difference in the relationship between Self Esteem and Self-Perceived Identity for the subsample based on gender, type of residence, stream of education and management category of institution. Similarly there exists no significant difference in the relationship between Self Esteem and Educational Aspirations for the subsample based on gender, type of residence, stream of education and management category of institution.The study revealed thatthere exists no significant difference in the relationship between Socio-Emotional Adjustment and Self-Perceived Identity for the subsample based on gender, type of residence, stream of education and management category of institution.The study revealed thatthere exists no significant difference in the relationship between Socio-Emotional Adjustment and Self-Perceived Identity for the Tribal Students in Humanities and Language Stream of education,Humanities and Management Stream of education, Language and Management Stream of education, Language and Science Stream of education,Science and Management Stream of education and students in Government and Private institutionsBut there exists significant difference in the relationship between Socio-Emotional Adjustment and Self-Perceived Identity, for the Tribal Boys and girls, Tribal Students residing at Post Matric Hostels and College Hostels and Tribal Students studying in Humanities and Science Stream of education. The multiple regression analysis reveals that, in the case of Tribal Boys, Tribal Students residing in Post Matric Hostels and Tribal Students in Private institution, the variables Self Esteem and Socio-Emotional Adjustment are capable to predict the variability Self-Perceived Identity. But in the case of Tribal Girls, Tribal Students residing in College Hostels, Tribal Students in all streams of education and Tribal Students studying in Government institution, the variables Self Esteem and Socio-Emotional Adjustment are not capable to predict the variability in Self- Perceived Identity. The results based on the multiple regression analysis shows that for the total Sample, 45.5 percent of the Educational Aspirations of the tribals students could be determined by the regression equations using the predictors Self Esteem and Socio-Emotional Adjustment. In the case of Tribal Boys and girls, Tribal Students residing in Post Matric Hostels and College Hostels, Tribal Students in all streams of education and Tribal Students studying in Government and Private institution, the variables Self Esteem and Socio-Emotional Adjustment are capable to predict the variability in Educational Aspirations. The findings revealed that a sound Self Esteem and Socio-Emotional Adjustment are capable to provide a better Self-Perceived Identity and consequently higher level of Educational Aspirations to the undergraduateTribal Students. The study suggests a higher level of social support is essential to attain a better Self Esteem tothe Tribal Students and it is essential to encourage culturalawareness and cultural sensitivity among teachers and administrative official in the fieldof education. The study proposes the importance of culturally relevant programs, vocational training and coaching can improve retention rates of tribal students in higher education.